kittiwake

[kit-ee-weyk]

noun

1. either of two small, pearl-gray gulls of the genus Rissa, the black-legged R. tridactyla of the North Atlantic and the red-legged and red-billed R. brevirostris, of the Bering Sea, both nesting on narrow cliff ledges and having a rudimentary hind toe.

kittiwake

/ ˈkɪtɪˌweɪk /

noun

1. either of two oceanic gulls of the genus Rissa, esp R. tridactyla, having a white plumage with pale grey black-tipped wings and a square-cut tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of kittiwake¹

First recorded in 1655–65; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of kittiwake¹

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

"Safeguarding sandeel stocks is a key part of the jigsaw that will help set our puffins, kittiwakes and the wider marine environment on the path to recovery."

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The largest number expected to be killed are kittiwakes followed by gannets and herring gulls.

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But it is a favourite food of other fish species like cod and haddock, as well as threatened seabirds such as puffins and kittiwakes.

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Five other seabirds were already on the list - the puffin, kittiwake, herring gull, roseate tern and arctic skua.

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A census carried out by the charity found the numbers of fulmars, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes on the remote archipelago has fallen dramatically.

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