This medium-sized seabird is our most numerous gull species, and also our most maritime, spending much of the non-breeding season on the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean.
Breeding adults have a white head and body with a mid-grey mantle and wings. They also have distinctive, jet black 'ink-dipped' wing tips. Kittiwakes take three years to attain full adult plumage.
The main breeding strongholds are in Scotland, especially Orkney, Shetland and the north-west coast.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Kittiwake
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Kittiwake, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Other
Flight call
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
The Kittiwake population increased by 24% between the 1969–70 and 1985–88 Censuses, but these increases had been reversed by the time of Seabird 2000 (1998–2002). Ongoing annual monitoring show that further substantial declines have since occurred and it is expected that the results of the Seabirds Count (2015–2021) will confirm this (JNCC 2022)
Kittiwakes predominantly breed on coasts with rocky cliffs, though man-made structures can be used, including the only colonies in East Anglia. The highest densities are on the British east coast, particularly between Flamborough Head and Orkney. Kittiwakes are mostly pelagic in the non-breeding season so most winter records are from vantage points along the British and Irish coastlines. During 2007–11 concentrations were greatest in southwest Ireland, southwest Wales and the Northern Isles.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Since the 1970s Kittiwake range has contracted by 10%, associated with an almost halving of the British breeding population. Losses are thought to be associated with changes in prey availability.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11 More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11)
Kittiwakes are recorded year-round, though more consistently in the breeding season on coasts near breeding areas.
Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells) and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
There is good evidence that the declines in the Kittiwake population are likely to have been driven by low breeding productivity which is likely to be related to changes in sandeel populations (Coulson 1983, Frederiksen et al. 2005, Coulson 2017, McMurdo Hamilton et al. 2016). Sandeel stocks, and therefore breeding success of Kittiwakes and other seabirds, may be affected by the impact of fisheries and also by changes to sea surface temperatures due to climate change. Hence, management of fisheries may be necessary to maintain Kittiwake populations (Furness & Tasker 2000).
KITTI 
Share this page