Pigeon Guillemot

The Pigeon Guillemot's sleek, black breeding plumage, accented by a bright white
wing patch and brilliant red legs and feet, makes this sea bird popular with birders.
The sheltered waters of Howe Sound, English Bay and Burrard Inlet support small,
loose flocks year-round with most sightings occurring between March and October.
In the last weeks of April, Pigeon Guillemots proceed to the rocky cliff face at
Prospect Point in Stanley Park to prepare for nesting. After performing courtship dis-
plays on the water involving mutual circling and bill-touching, paired adults select a
burrow or rock crevice to protect their eggs and young from crafty bird and mammal
predators, such as ravens, crows, raccoons and rats. Near the end of the breeding sea-
son, young can be observed with adults hunting for fish under the Lion's Gate Bridge.

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