The Guillemot (or Common Murre in North America) - Uria aalge - is a bird remarkably reminiscent of a penguin. However, they are not really all that closely related with the Guillemots and Penguins being in separate orders.
I assume that the similarity is due to their similar ecology. Maybe the pale underside acts as camouflage against the sky when seen from below, and the dark back against the sea when seen from above.
What ever the long evolutionary story that has brought the Guillemot to the Farne Islands it is a wonderful looking birds.
It nest in dense colonies on open cliff face, and it's egg are pointed at one end so that they roll in circles, rather than off the edge of the cliff!
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| Cliff Edge Gathering |
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| Crop of image above - central bird has a fish, note the chick at top right. |
When the birds are in the water they look strangely ungainly, flapping off across the water as they try to start flying. But even brief glimpses of the bird swimming underwater shows that they can fly in two mediums.
We had a few birds come close to the boat during the tours (yes, I did go twice - I have a tolerant family!), but they were not as cooperative as they may have been. This is one of the better in the water shots - I like the way you can see the water "beading" off the oily feathers.
Another interesting thing about this bird is that two distinct forms of plumage can bee seen in the birds on the cliffs. A small number of birds have a white line around the eye, so that when viewed from one side they look like they are wearing a rather dapper monocle! This is known as the Bridled form of the bird - and this form generally becomes more common in populations of Guillemot as you move north - in the UK this form accounts for between 1 and 5% of the populations.
Well, thats your lot for the Guillemot!
Over to you - click on the link below and off you go.
such neat birds! i really like the spectacled variety! i don't think i've seen those pictured before!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos in a great place. I'm jealous...
ReplyDeleteThey really aren't penguins? So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey do look like penguins. It never fails to amaze me how many bird species there are.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully illustrated, Stewart, and as usual, very informative. That "monocle" is interesting-- it must somehow promote survival of the responsible genes-- I wonder if the northern population was established earlier and the gene flourished, or was it first expressed in a southern population and was diluted away because it served no evolutionary purpose. Why speculate? The pointed eggs clearly make sense!
ReplyDelete...that last image...superior!!
ReplyDeleteLove the 'eye make-up'
Really amazing photos and so gorgeous creatures :)))
ReplyDeleteSteward wat is dit mooi, het is dringen om een plekje en wat een beauty,s
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovley one , with perfect lines a look as Greta Garbo in profile ,Nette
ReplyDeleteAlways love your birds and this one I've never seen before!! Thanks for sharing, they're beautiful winged-critters!!
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous bird. I truly have enjoyed observing these birds out in the wild. You have a lot of excellent shots....and I would have taken a couple trips myself:)
ReplyDeleteCool birds, never seen them before, great shots.
ReplyDeleteHI MAnagged to get on tonight and got linked in. I am very limited for interent access. great post of yuor with excellent shots.
ReplyDeleteI just attached link to my bird-panter-blog :) I did everything OK, I hope.
ReplyDeleteThey do look quite a bit like penguins in their tuxedo-like attire.
ReplyDeleteVery neat birds..I love the monocle around the eye- that is cool. When I first opened your page I thought these were penguins.
ReplyDeleteHandsome fellows in their formal attire. And a lot of them. Neat experience.
ReplyDeleteSuperb images. How neat to see a whole colony up close.
ReplyDeleteReally wunderful birds and great photos.
ReplyDeleteThey are cool birds, Stewart! I like the one wearing the eyeliner..Your photos are awesome..Thanks for hosting, have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHow handsome! Very good looking birds. I really like the all black head/neck and the transition to the white. Nice shots!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting birds! I've never seen them before. They have wonderful eye makeup! :-) Great photos, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteGood post and of course great shots.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully interesting, Stewart! I'm a big penguin fan, so it was fun to learn about the Guillemots. Thanks for sharing so much information about them!
ReplyDeleteQuite unusual-looking bird. I like the monocle.
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful location for these beautiful birds Stewart and beautifully sharp photos too; well done
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing creature!
ReplyDeleteThey are so darn adorable all gathered together...striking birds!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteThese are new to me. They are pinguinlike. Nice series of shots!
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart!:) All your Guillemot captures are fantastic. I also like the one in the water.
ReplyDeleteHave never seen the monocle before, love the last shot!:)
Hi Stewart,
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Guillemot.
The last picture is my favorite, without the other photos too short to do.
Very well photographed.
Best regards, Irma
I say there, old chap ... I think I much prefer the bridled form of this lovely bird. You come up with the most interesting posts ever ... I love these Guillemots. I think all of the diving birds have that awkward look out of water ... the Loons and the Cormorants are the same way, but they don't have the lovely white chest or monocle so they arn't quite as cute. Love this ... I really must go to this island some day.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Oh, I thought they are penguins when I opened your site p;) Guillemots sure is unique bird and white line around the eye amazed me.
ReplyDeleteSending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Very handsome birds!
ReplyDeleteI thought for sure these were penguins. They're beautiful...thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDawn
@ A Place for Pictures and Memories
Pretty interesting information regarding the eggs. The 'monocle' is fantastic, brilliant contrast!!
ReplyDeleteI always love your birds! Thanks for the really awesome info about them, too.
ReplyDeleteSorry for my tardiness, it is becoming a thing I must take on as best as I can. The images are all absolutely splendid~
ReplyDeleteReally cool birds! That last shot is really pretty.
ReplyDeleteThey do look a bit like penguins ..
ReplyDeleteLovely birds! Prettier than penguins, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous shots. They really do look a lot like penguins.
ReplyDeleteInteresting birds, as well as attractive. It amazes me how nature adapts to its surroundings...eggs pointed at one side so they roll in a circle. Great shots of the Guillemots, Stewart. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI finally caught up with you Stewart and sorry I'm late.The Farnes must be one of the best places in the world to photograph sea birds. You made some great images.
ReplyDeleteThey look very much at peace with the world.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos Stewart! Another striking bird.
ReplyDelete