Red-legged Kittiwake

The Red-legged Kittiwake, Rissa brevirostris, is a seabird of the gull family Laridae, distinguished by its crimson legs. It shares a close resemblance with its cousin, the Black-legged Kittiwake, but can be identified by its shorter bill, more prominent eyes, a fuller, rounder head, and wings of a darker grey hue. The juveniles, which look very much like the adults, do not possess the black tail band and "W" pattern across the wings that one sees in juvenile Black-legged Kittiwakes. Adults measure 35–39 cm in length, span their wings across 84–92 cm, and weigh between 325–510 g.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Red-legged Kittiwake, look for the namesake red legs, which are a key distinguishing feature. However, since some Black-legged Kittiwakes may also have reddish legs, it is important to note the combination of a shorter bill, larger eyes, a rounder head, and darker wings. Juveniles lack the black tail band and wing pattern seen in their Black-legged counterparts.

Habitat

This species is a denizen of the subarctic Pacific, breeding on the remote cliffs of the Pribilof Islands, Bogoslof Island, Buldir Island off Alaska's coast, and the Commander Islands in Russia.

Distribution

The Red-legged Kittiwake is a localized species, spending its breeding season in the Bering Sea islands and wintering at sea in the northwestern Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Alaska.

Behaviour

These birds are cliff-nesting during the summer months, preferring to lay their eggs on ledges. Come September, they migrate out to sea to overwinter.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Red-legged Kittiwake includes fish such as lanternfish, squid, and various invertebrates.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Red-legged Kittiwake as "Vulnerable." The population, estimated between 337,000 to 377,000 mature individuals, has seen a decline of about 35% from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, though numbers may have stabilized since. The reasons for this decline are not entirely clear but may be linked to changes in prey availability, possibly due to overfishing or climate change.