Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba), is a diving shorebird native to the coastlines from California to Alaska. I have seen them often in pairs, skimming above white-capped waters — wingtip to wingtip — at what appears to be supersonic speed! Yesterday, on a hike to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, I stood on a bluff and spotted a small colony in the cove below.

“During the breeding season, they can be found on rocky islands and mainland cliffs that are protected from predators.”

“The nest is a shallow scrape in a pile of soil, pebbles, or shell scraps. Both parents incubate the eggs for about four weeks. Both parents feed the young until they leave the nest at about 4-6 weeks after hatching.”

“Pigeon Guillemots forage by diving and swimming underwater, propelled mostly by their wings, but, unlike most alcids, they also use their feet for propulsion. They forage by searching the bottom, diving up to 150 feet. They can also sometimes be seen on the surface of the water swimming with their heads submerged.”

If it’s from nature and in the air, or can get there, it’s a Friday Flyer!

http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/pigeon_guillemot