Common Murre
Image: breckencreatures (cc-by-nc)
NameCommon Murre
Common NameCommon Murre
Scientific NameUria aalge
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)67
Length (cm)42
Weight (g)1025
Plumage DetailsAdults have dark brown to black plumage on the head, neck, back, and wings, sharply contrasting with a pure white belly and flanks. Some individuals exhibit a 'bridled' morph, characterized by a white eye-ring and a thin white line extending backward from the eye. The bill is slender, pointed, and dark.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are typically guttural growls, grunts, and rumbles, especially at breeding colonies. They can sound like 'arrr' or 'karrr', often in a low, throaty tone.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatsmarine, coastal, rocky islands, sea cliffs
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, breeding on coasts of North America (including Alaska and Canada), Europe (from Iceland to Portugal), and Asia (from Siberia to Japan).
Identifying FeaturesDark upperparts and white underparts with a sharp demarcation, Slender, pointed dark bill, Upright posture when on land, Often seen in large, dense breeding colonies on sea cliffs, Diving behavior for foraging, Some individuals have a distinctive white eye-ring and line (bridled morph)
Description
The Common Murre is a medium-sized diving seabird with a sleek, torpedo-shaped body. It spends most of its life at sea, coming to land only to breed in dense colonies on rocky cliffs, where it stands upright. They are highly adapted for underwater pursuit of prey.
