Spectacled Guillemot vs Brünnich's Guillemot

In short

The Spectacled Guillemot and Brünnich's Guillemot are both seabirds from the Alcidae family, but they can be distinguished by their bill structure and plumage. The Spectacled Guillemot has a shorter, stouter bill and distinctive white 'spectacles' around the eyes, while Brünnich's Guillemot has a longer, straighter bill and lacks these spectacles.

Identification tips

1. Look for the white 'spectacles' around the eyes to identify Spectacled Guillemot. 2. Note the bill shape: shorter and stouter in Spectacled, longer and straighter in Brünnich's. 3. Observe the habitat: Spectacled prefers rocky coasts, Brünnich's is more Arctic and ice-associated. 4. Consider the context: Brünnich's may be seen in larger colonies.

Size

Both species are similar in size, but Brünnich's Guillemot is generally bulkier.

Plumage

The Spectacled Guillemot features white 'spectacles' around its eyes and a mostly dark body, whereas Brünnich's Guillemot has a more uniform dark plumage without spectacles.

Behaviour

Both species are typically seen swimming and diving for food, but Brünnich's Guillemot is more likely to be found in large colonies.

Habitat

Spectacled Guillemots are often found along rocky coastlines, while Brünnich's Guillemots prefer colder, Arctic waters and are often associated with ice edges.

Voice

Vocalizations are not a reliable field mark for distinguishing these species as both have similar calls typical of guillemots.