Genus
Cepphus (True guillemots)
Cepphus columba. Photo: (c) Mike Baird, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Cepphus is a genus of seabirds in the auk family also referred to as true guillemots or, in North America, simply as guillemots. The genus name Cepphus is from Ancient Greek kepphos, a pale waterbird mentioned by Greek authors including Aristotle. The English word “guillemot” is from French guillemot probably derived from Guillaume, “William”. “Murre” is of uncertain origins, but may imitate the call of the common guillemot.
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