The Helm Guide to Bird Identification by Keith Vinicombe

Author:Keith Vinicombe
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472905536
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2014-02-10T16:00:00+00:00

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla

Flight identification Juvenile and first-winter are superficially similar to the equivalent plumages of Little Gull, both species showing a large black ‘W’ across the wings in flight. Kittiwake is much larger than Little Gull, being slightly larger than Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus. The grey mantle, scapulars and leading wing-coverts are quite dark, highlighting the extreme whiteness of the inner primaries and secondaries. Also, the black ‘W’ is better defined, particularly on the primaries: this combination produces a smarter, more contrasting ‘grey-black-white’ pattern than first-winter Little Gull. Juvenile and first-winter Kittiwakes are similar, but the juvenile has a prominent black collar across the nape, which is usually lost in first-winter plumage (when it may show a grey shawl instead). A thick black bill contrasts strongly with the white head, which has a black spot or smudge behind the eye. The underwing is snowy white, with contrasting black tips to the under-primaries; the very white primaries and secondaries appear translucent from below. By spring, it lacks the black collar and the plumage wears and fades considerably, so that the outer primaries are not as black, the mantle and wing-coverts are paler grey and the general appearance is whiter and less contrasting; later in summer, some may become severely bleached and abraded.

Identification at rest In fresh plumage, looks smart and contrasting. Identified by its thick black bill, predominantly white head, black collar (when present), rather dark grey mantle and scapulars, and large black bar across the base of the wing-coverts, extending onto the tertials. Note also the black legs, which are very short for a gull.

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