pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) Description
A Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) underwater in a tank at Living Coasts, in Torquay, UK
Date 6 May 2009
Source Own work
Author Nilfanion https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nilfanion
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pigeon_Guillemot_underwater_in_Living_Coasts.jpg
The pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) is a species of bird in the auk family, Alcidae. It is endemic to the Pacific Ocean. It closely resembles the other members of the genus Cepphus, particularly the black guillemot, which is slightly smaller and lacks dark wing lines. The pigeon guillemots dive for food from the surface, swimming underwater, feeding on benthic prey, which is usually obtained close to shore. They mainly eat fish and other aquatic animals, particularly sculpins, sandfish (Trichodon), cod, capelin, and crabs. Chick diet varies slightly, with more fish than invertebrates, particularly rockfish. Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Alcidae.