PIGEON GUILLEMOT Meaning and
Definition
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The pigeon guillemot, scientifically known as Cepphus columba, is a small to medium-sized seabird belonging to the Alcidae family. This bird species inhabits coastal regions and can be found along the northern Pacific Ocean, primarily in North America, from Alaska to the western coast of California. The pigeon guillemot is famous for its striking appearance, featuring a black body with a contrasting white patch on the wings, bright red legs and feet, and a thick, blade-like bill that turns reddish-orange during the breeding season.
These birds are highly skilled divers and feed predominantly on a diet of small fish, including herring, sand lance, and smelt. They use their wings to propel themselves underwater, relying on their agility and streamlined bodies to catch their prey. Pigeon guillemots acquire their name from the characteristic cooing calls they emit, bearing similarities to the sounds made by domestic pigeons.
During the breeding season, pigeon guillemots nest in cavities or crevices, often in rocky cliffsides or along the shorelines. They lay one or two eggs, with both parents participating in incubation duties, which typically lasts around a month. The chicks hatch covered in grayish-brown down feathers and are cared for by their parents until they are ready to fledge.
Due to their impressive appearance and ecological significance as an indicator species, pigeon guillemots are often the subject of research and monitoring efforts to better understand the overall health of their coastal habitats and marine ecosystems.
Common Misspellings for PIGEON GUILLEMOT
- oigeon guillemot
- ligeon guillemot
- -igeon guillemot
- 0igeon guillemot
- pugeon guillemot
- pjgeon guillemot
- pkgeon guillemot
- pogeon guillemot
- p9geon guillemot
- p8geon guillemot
- pifeon guillemot
- piveon guillemot
- pibeon guillemot
- piheon guillemot
- piyeon guillemot
- piteon guillemot
- pigwon guillemot
- pigson guillemot
- pigdon guillemot
Etymology of PIGEON GUILLEMOT
The word "pigeon guillemot" is a compound term derived from the combination of two separate terms: "pigeon" and "guillemot".
1. Pigeon: The term "pigeon" originates from the Old French word "pijoun" or "pijon", which in turn came from the Latin word "pippio" meaning "squab" or "young bird". Over time, the word "pigeon" shifted in meaning to refer specifically to birds of the family Columbidae, which includes various species of birds notorious for their cooing sounds and swift flight.
2. Guillemot: The term "guillemot" is derived from the French word "guillemot", which in turn has its origins in the Old Norse term "gilimot".
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