[Tweeters] Pigeon Guillemot in Breeding Plumage in Early February?

[Tom Benedict]

Today, Feb 4th, 2023, at Brown’s Point Lighthouse I spotted, about 300 meters offshore, two black seabirds with white wing patches. They had the shape, bill and general disposition of a Pigeon Guillemot, so that’s what I called them.  I’m quite sure these were not White-Winged Scoters. The head and bill were not the right shape, and there were no other scoters around.

However, now that I’m home and reviewing my observations, I’m wondering if it’s reasonable to have a Pigeon Guillemot in what looked to me like breeding plumage in early February? The were definitely not the “variable” or “smudgy” plumage of a winter PIGU.

Anyone else seeing Pigeon Guillemots these days? Are they "black and white" or “smudgy”?

Tom Benedict
Seahurst, WA