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Kittiwake

Kittiwake ©James Rogerson

Kittiwake chick at nest

Kittiwake ©Margaret Holland

Kittiwake

A pretty, little gull, the kittiwake can be spotted nesting in colonies on clifftops and rock ledges around the UK's coast. It spends the winter out at sea.

Scientific name

Rissa tridactyla

When to see

February to October

Species information

Statistics

Length: 38-40cm
Wingspan: 95-110cm
Weight: 300-500g
Average lifespan: 12 years
Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).

Habitats

About

The kittiwake is our most sea-loving gull, only turning up inland on odd occasions and spending winter out on the Atlantic. A medium-sized, elegant and gentle-looking gull, it eats fish, shrimps and worms, and does not scavenge at landfill sites like other gulls. It nests in colonies on clifftops and rock ledges from February until August; there are 380,000 pairs in the UK.

How to identify

The kittiwake is easily identifiable at its clifftop nesting colonies, particularly when you hear its 'kittiwake' call. Adults are silvery-grey above and white below, with a white head and black wingtips. Young birds have a black 'W' across their wings and back, a black neck-collar and a black band on their tail.

Distribution

Nests on coastal cliffs. Can be seen around most of our coasts during migration.

Did you know?

Studies of kittiwake colonies have shown that birds at the centre of the colony are established pairs, having been together for several years. They tend to be more successful at raising their chicks than new pairings as they share the duties of guarding the nest more equally, meaning that both parents can feed well without the chicks being left alone.