Definition

Noun: A small seabird of the gull family (genus Rissa), characterized by its pearl-grey and white plumage, black wingtips, and a distinctive call from which its name is derived. It is known for nesting on steep sea cliffs in northern regions and has a physical adaptation of a rudimentary hind toe.

Examples of Usage

• The kittiwake is the most oceanic member of the gull family.
• We watched a colony of kittiwakes nesting precariously on the sheer cliff face.
• The loud "kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake" call of the kittiwake is a familiar sound along the coast.

Advanced Usage

• "Black-legged kittiwake" (Rissa tridactyla): The common and widespread species, named for its dark legs and the characteristic three-toed foot (with a rudimentary hind toe).
• "Red-legged kittiwake" (Rissa brevirostris): A rarer species with red legs and a shorter bill, found primarily in the Bering Sea.

Variants and Related Words

• Kittiwake colony: A group of kittiwakes nesting together on a cliff.
  • The kittiwake colony on the island numbers in the thousands.

Synonyms

• Seagull / Gull: These are general terms for the family of birds () to which the kittiwake belongs. "Kittiwake" specifies a particular genus within this family.

Noun

1. small pearl-grey gull of northern regions; nests on cliffs and has a rudimentary hind toe