Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Order: Charadriiformes | Family: Laridae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

black-legged_kittiwake
Age: Adult, alternate | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

black-legged_kittiwake
Age: Adult, alternate | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

black-legged_kittiwake
Age: Adult, alternate | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

black-legged_kittiwake
Age: Adult, basic | Sex: Unknown | Loc. North America

Identification & Behavior: ~43 cm (21 in). The Black-legged Kittiwake in basic plumage is white with a light gray back and wing coverts. The nape area is grayish and the bill is yellow. In alternate plumage, the head is pure white. It is distinguished from other gulls by the pale primary flight feathers and a small black triangle in the tip of the wing. The legs are always black.

Status: The Black-legged Kittiwake is known in Peru from one individual observed and photographed off the coast of Pucusana; 60 km south of Lima.

Name in Spanish: Gaviota Tridáctila.

Sub-species: Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Linnaeus 1758.

Meaning of Name: Rissa: The Islandic name of a Kittiwake. tridactyla: Gr. Tridak-tulus= having three toes.

See more of the Family Laridae   peru aves

Distribution Map
black-legged kittiwakeVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.