Definition

Noun: 1. A small seabird of the auk family (Alcidae), typically with black or brown and white plumage, found in northern seas. Guillemots are known for their upright posture on land and their ability to "fly" underwater while diving for fish.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • We watched a colony of guillemots nesting on the steep cliff face.
  • The guillemot dove from the rock into the cold water to catch its prey.
  • Birdwatchers can distinguish a guillemot from a puffin by its slender, pointed bill.

Advanced Usage

• "Common guillemot" / "Uria aalge": The scientific name and a common term for the most widespread species, also known as the common murre in North America.
  • The common guillemot is an excellent swimmer and diver.
• "Black guillemot" / "Cepphus grylle": A species of guillemot with mostly black plumage and distinctive white wing patches.
  • In summer, the black guillemot has striking red feet.

Variants and Related Words

• Murre (n): The North American name for the common guillemot (Uria aalge) and the thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia).
• Auk (n): The family of seabirds (Alcidae) to which guillemots, puffins, and razorbills belong.
• Razorbill (n): A close relative of the guillemot in the auk family, with a deep, flattened bill.

Synonyms

• Seabird: A general term for birds that live primarily on or near the ocean.
• Diver: A descriptive term highlighting its feeding behavior (though this can also refer to the bird family Gaviidae, the loons).

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Cliff-nesting bird: Guillemots are classic examples of birds that breed in dense colonies on narrow cliff ledges.
  • The island is a sanctuary for cliff-nesting birds like the guillemot.
• Marine bird: A bird whose life cycle is primarily associated with the sea.

Noun

1. small black or brown speckled auks of northern seas