Bird Description

Winter visitor from Greenland. Sometimes seen from shore, generally farther n. Easiest to see from boats offshore, often hundreds in a day. Occasionally sick birds wash up and are then approachable. ID: Tiny, particularly in a big ocean. Short, plump and neckless with stubby bill. In flight, seen as a chunky blur of wings with white trailing edge. Young and nonbr birds have striking partial neck collar. In breeding has dark head and neck.