Black-legged kittiwake
Rissa tridactyla
The black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is a seabird species in the gull family Laridae.
About the Black-legged kittiwake
The black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is a seabird species in the gull family Laridae. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae as Larus tridactylus. The English name is derived from its call, a shrill 'kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake'. In North America, this species is known as the black-legged kittiwake to differentiate it from the red-legged kittiwake, but in Europe, where it is the only member of the genus, it is often known just as kittiwake.
Fun Facts About Black-legged kittiwake
- This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae as Larus tridactylus.
- In North America, this species is known as the black-legged kittiwake to differentiate it from the red-legged kittiwake, but in Europe, where it is the only member of the genus, it is often known just as kittiwake.
Conservation Status
The Black-legged kittiwake is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This species faces threats that could impact its population if conservation measures are not maintained.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Rissa |
| Species | Rissa tridactyla |
Range & Habitat
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