Sep 1, 2025
the pigeon guillemot is a medium-sized member of the auk family, distributed throughout north pacific coastal waters (from siberia to alaska to california). they feed by pursuit diving, and are adept divers; they primarily feed on small fish and marine invertebrates, mainly caught near the sea floor. in summer, the breeding plumage of adults is dark brownish-black, with a white wing patch. in winter, the upperparts are dark brown/black, with scalloping along the white underside. they often nest in rocky cavities near bodies of water; their namesake, the rock dove/pigeon, is also known as a cliff nester.
