General
Fulmar: Gull-like seabird with dark eye, short, thick neck, and rather stubby bill with short tube-like structure on top. Plumage varies from light grey above with white head and underparts to more uniform grey. White patch at base of primaries seen in gliding and flapping flight. Sexes similar. Black edging to undersides of primaries. Also has inconspicuous, thin, dark band on bill.
Range and Habitat
Fulmar: Resident breeder and winter visitor. Visible all year at some breeding grounds, although greater numbers can be seen during winter months. Usually returns in December. More common in coastal Scotland and the Northern Isles. Breeds on most UK sea cliffs. Otherwise flocks are found offshore.
Breeding and Nesting
Fulmar: Breeding mostly in large colonies in the high Arctic, with nests on cliffs and ledges, or on the ground. Nest is a scrape lined with vegetation or pebbles. They mature and breed late, beginning when 8-10 years old. Only one egg laid; both parents build nest, incubate egg and feed chick.
Foraging and Feeding
Fulmar: Eats fish, crustaceans, marine worms, squid, fish offal, and carrion. Snatches food at or just below the water surface; eats on the water.
Vocalisation
Fulmar: Gives chuckling and grunting notes when feeding. On breeding grounds gives a variety of guttural calls.
Similar Species
Fulmar: Cory's Shearwater has a longer, thinner bill and is distinctly more brown overall and lacks the white head. Kittiwake is smaller, has lighter grey upperparts, black, not white wingtips, and a white, not grey tail.