Razorbill
NameRazorbill
Common NameRazorbill
Scientific NameAlca torda
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)66
Length (cm)40.5
Weight (g)650
Plumage DetailsAdult Razorbills have glossy black upperparts, head, and throat, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. In breeding plumage, a thin white line runs vertically across the bill, and another fine white line extends from the eye to the base of the bill.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent at sea, Razorbills become vocal at breeding colonies, emitting guttural growls, grunts, and croaking sounds, often described as 'arrr' or 'karr-karr'.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal cliffs, rocky islands, open ocean
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on rocky coasts and islands across the North Atlantic, including eastern North America, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Europe. Winters offshore, extending south to the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern United States coast.
Identifying Featuresdeep, blunt, laterally compressed bill with a white vertical line, black upperparts and white underparts, white line from eye to bill (in breeding plumage), upright posture on land
Description
The Razorbill is a medium-sized black and white seabird, known for its distinctive deep, blunt bill. These agile birds are excellent swimmers and divers, spending most of their lives at sea but returning to rocky coastlines to breed.
