The Black-legged KittywakeRissa tridactyla spends most of its time on the open sea, both the Atlantic and Pacific. It is named after its call, "kittywake, kittywake." Its scientific species name tridactyla refers to its 3-toed feet. The bill of this immature bird is black, that of the adult is yellow. These photos were taken at the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Key Largo, FL at mile maker 93.6..
The Black-legged Kittywake is small gull with long wings suited for spending much of its life at sea. It has a grey back, a grey spot behind its eyes and, as its name indicates, black legs.