Kittiwake
A great day out!
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactyla (kittiwake or black-legged kittiwake)
A gentle looking, medium-sized gull, kittiwakes have a small yellow bill, dark eye, grey back and white underneath: their little legs are short and black. In flight, the black wing-tips show no white, unlike other gulls, and look as if they have been 'dipped in ink'.
Breeding
On rocky, steep sea-cliffs, buildings and piers.
Winter
Spent out in the open Atlantic.
Eat
Fish, shrimps and worms.
Sound
A loud 'kitti-waak' (hence their name!).
Spot them
The best time to see them is in the breeding colonies in spring and summer - they arrive back from February, staying until August. See them on the Bass Rock, Isle of May, Fidra, Craigleith and at Dunbar harbour.
Kittiwake facts
| Eggs | 2-3 |
| Incubation | 25-32 days |
| Fledging | 33-54 days |
| Maximum lifespan | 28 years |
| Length | 38-40cm |
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