Razorbill
Image: Stephen John Davies (cc-by-nc)
NameRazorbill
Common NameRazorbill
Scientific NameAlca torda
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)64.5
Length (cm)40.5
Weight (g)695
Plumage DetailsAdult Razorbills have glossy black upperparts, head, and neck, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. During the breeding season, a thin white line extends from the eye to the base of the bill, and a prominent white vertical stripe crosses the deep black bill. In winter, the throat and sides of the head become white.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent at sea, Razorbills become vocal at breeding colonies, producing a variety of growls, grunts, and croaking sounds. They also emit a low, guttural 'arrr' or 'karr' call.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal waters, open ocean, rocky cliffs, islands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on rocky coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, including eastern North America, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Europe. Winters at sea, generally moving south of its breeding grounds, reaching as far south as the Mediterranean and the eastern United States.
Identifying Featuresdeep, laterally compressed black bill with a white vertical stripe (breeding plumage), sharp contrast between black upperparts and white underparts, thin white line from eye to bill (breeding plumage), short, pointed wings used for both flight and underwater swimming
Description
The Razorbill is a medium-sized seabird with a distinctive deep, blunt bill. It spends most of its life at sea, coming to rocky coasts and islands only to breed, where it forms dense colonies. It is an agile swimmer and diver, using its wings for propulsion underwater.
