Is this Sweden's oldest guillemot?

A Remarkable Bird

A guillemot (black guillemot) estimated to be 49 years old was observed in July at Söderskär in the Stockholm archipelago. It was described as fully healthy and in good body condition, making its advanced age even more notable.

Close to a Record

The bird is only a few days younger than the previously oldest known guillemot in Sweden. According to Claes Kyrk, who is responsible for ringing seabirds in the Stockholm archipelago, it has a strong chance of surpassing that record given its current health.

Scientific Context

The observation highlights the value of long-term bird ringing and monitoring. Data collected over decades helps researchers track individual survival, lifespan, and population health in seabird colonies.

What’s Next

Researchers will continue to monitor the bird. If it remains healthy, it could soon become the oldest guillemot ever recorded in Sweden, adding a notable data point to our understanding of seabird longevity.