Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) is in the Auks, Murres, and Puffins family (Alcidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 11,469 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Pigeon Guillemot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pigeon Guillemot
The pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) is a species of bird in the auk family, Alcidae. One of three species in the genus Cepphus, it is most closely related to the spectacled guillemot. There are five subspecies of the pigeon guillemot; all subspecies, when in breeding plumage, are dark brown with a black iridescent sheen, with a distinctive wing patch broken by a brown-black wedge. Its non-breeding plumage has a mottled grey and black upperparts and white...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pigeon Guillemot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4,879 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Washington | 4,031 | July | Feb–Aug |
| Oregon | 1,296 | July | May–Aug |
| Alaska | 1,263 | July | May–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Pigeon Guillemot?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from April to August.
Where is Pigeon Guillemot most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.