Common Guillemot

Common Guillemot / Common Murre (Uria aalge)

Common Guillemots nest in sea cliffs all around Iceland. They lay their egg on the bare rock tight together on broad sills. The eggs are cone shaped in order to prevent them to roll off the edges. In the middle of July the young jump from the cliffs and follow their parents out on the sea. Common Guillemots live mostly on fish like sandeel, herring and capelin but also on invertebrates.

 

Common Guillemots do not nest at Skjálfandi bay but are seen regularly foraging.

Length:

43 cm

Weight:

842-1,282 g

Wingspan:

64-70 cm

Population:

 990,000 pairs