The Black-legged Kittiwake is normally found on the coasts of Alaska, Greenland, Canada and Asia and similarly northern oceans. However, it is prone to wandering and especially immature birds show up semi-regularly throughout North America including Texas.
I have encountered Kittiwakes only twice in Texas therefore I have few photographs. However, numerous photos can be found at Black-legged Kittiwake Macaulay Lab of Cornell.
This Kittiwake is slightly heavier than a Laughing Gull, however its structure is noticeably different than most gulls: it has short legs, a sturdy body with a long, but narrow tail. Its long wings are somewhat boom-a-rang-shaped. The back half of the bird is attenuated. The large dark eyes, on a blank face impart a gentle expression. In adults the bill is yellow and is curved on top and flat on the bottom. The adults gray-backs are slightly darker than Ring-billed, but this could easily be missed unless comparing directly. The wings are tipped in black on the outer 5 primaries. Non-breeding adults have a indistinct dark spot or blurry bar behind the eye
1st year Kittiwakes have an “M” shaped pattern on the back and primaries, a black bill, a black spot behind the eye, and a unique black rear-collar.
