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Spectacled Guillemot Cepphus carbo

on 21st September 2019

“These Spectacled Guillemot (Cepphus carbo) are in dark breeding plumage (more sooty-brown than black) with white around and behind the eye.

“Note also small white patches on base of bill (Gaston et al. 1998, Brazil 2018).

“The wings whirr in flight and are large, but the size of the wings is not appreciated unless seen from in front or behind; the wing span is 65-69 cm (Brazil 2018).

“The feet are a lovely bright red.

“The tail is short and hard to appreciate unless diving for food – the fringe of the tail is a lighter colour than that of the body (not mentioned in guides).

“It is said to forage close to shore (Gaston et al 1998), and we observed this, however I saw them returning with flocks of Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) from far out at sea.

“The Spectacled Guillemot has decreased 10-15% annually during the last 30-40 years (Yuichi Osa et al. 2002). In a recent study 19 colonies have disappeared and populations have decreased in 12 of the current known colonies (Masayuki Senzaki et al 2015). The decline is thought to be due to gill net fishing, a degradation of conditions at breeding habitats, increased human activities in their fishing grounds and other factors. It is at near-threatened status in Japan, currently listed as vulnerable there.

“Images were taken on a short pelagic trip, the Ochi-ishi Nature Cruise and at Cape Nosappu.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, MalaysiaIpoh, Perak, Malaysia
6-7th June 2019

Location: Nemuro Peninsula, East Hokkaidō, Japan

References
1.
Anthony J Gaston, Ian L. Jones, Ian Lewington. The Auks: Alcidae (Bird Families of the World). Oxford University Press. 1998.
2. Mark Brazil. Birds of Japan. Helm Field Guides 2018
3. Yuichi Osa, Yutaka Watanuki. Status of Seabirds Breeding in Hokkaido. Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. 2002 Vol 33 Issue 2 Pages 107-141.
4. Masayuki Senzaki, Makoto Hasebe, Yoshihiro Kataoka, Yoshihiro Fukuda, Bungo Nishizawa, Yutaka Watanuki. Status of the Spectacled Guillemot (Cepphus carbo) in Japan. Waterbirds 2015, 38(2), 184-190.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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