This section is currently predominantly used in Wildpro to link different data types and demonstrate inter-relationships. Although it identifies that taxonomic interrelationships of species (see "header") it does not currently contain detailed information on the bird species itself. As Wildpro is developed, we will gradually convert these pages into full Species pages.

The taxonomy of birds is still under review and the A World Checklist of Birds by Burt L. Monroe, Jr and Charles G. Sibley (B89) has been chosen as the primary reference. The taxonomic structure will be amended when new editions or complete references are identified by the scientific world as the recognized primary references for taxonomy.

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• Breeding - "Coastal cliffs and islands." (B163)
• Winter: "Coastal seas." (B17)

• Length: 38-43cm (B164)
• Wingspan: 60-69 cm (B164)
• Bill: Short, deep, laterally flattened, with slight hook. Black marked with vertical white lines. (B164)
• Eyes: Black. (B164)
• Feet and legs: Grey. (B164)
• Plumage: Basically black above with white line over sides, and white below. Tail relatively long and pointed, often raised while floating. (B164)
• Adult in summer: 
  • Head and neck including throat very black, narrow white line from eye forward to bill. Dorsal black except secondaries tipped with white giving white wing bar and in flight white trailing edge. Ventral white, underwing coverts white, flight feathers dusky. (B17, B164)
• Adult in winter:
  • Head and neck black, may or may not have very narrow white line from eye forward to bill; dorsal black except secondaries tipped with white (trailing edge), ventral including throat and up sides of face behind eyes white. (B164)
• Juvenile first winter: Similar to adult but bill smaller, more pointed and lacking white lines. (B164)

Feeding:

• food - mainly fish, sometimes aquatic invertebrates
• feeding behaviour - mainly surface dives

Nest:

• location and structure - nest site is variable; cliffs, crevices, no nest
• nest building - little material required
• breeding structure - monogamous

Eggs:

• markings - patterned
• number of eggs - 1 (2)
• broods - one brood per season
• incubation - by male and female; 32-39 days

Nestling:

• development - Semi-precocial; stays in nest; fed by parents
• parental caring for young - by male and female
• fledging - 14-24 days

(B163, B164)

Organisations (UK Contacts):

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Electronic Library (further reading):

• Oil Spills and Marine Wildlife: Guidelines for a Response

General Legislation:

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Individual techniques:

• Accommodation of Casualty Seabirds
• Hand-rearing Seabirds
• Catching and Handling of Seabirds
• Feeding of Casualty Seabirds
• Release of Casualty Seabirds