The Common Murre (Uria aalge): The Sentinel of the Cliffs
The Common Murre is a very gregarious seabird, nesting in dense colonies on coastal cliffs.
The Soul of the Rocky Coasts
The Common Murre (Uria aalge) is an iconic seabird of the Northern Hemisphere, often likened to a penguin due to its upright posture and contrasting plumage. Spending most of its life on the open sea, it only comes ashore to breed, forming spectacular and noisy colonies on narrow cliff ledges, sometimes alongside the Atlantic Puffin. Its biology, from its diving technique to the astonishing shape of its egg, is a marvel of adaptation to a demanding environment. It is a close relative of the Razorbill, another classic alcid of the northern cliffs.
Identifying the Common Murre
Like many seabirds, its appearance varies between the breeding and winter seasons.
In breeding plumage (summer): It sports an elegant plumage. The head, neck, back, and wings are a very dark chocolate-brown, almost black. The belly and underparts are pure white. Its bill is long, thin, and pointed, entirely black. A morph, known as the "bridled murre," has a thin white ring around the eye, extending into a white line behind it.
In non-breeding plumage (winter): The most notable difference is on the head. The white of the belly extends up the throat and cheeks, leaving a black cap on the top of the head and a black line behind the eye.
Our Ornithologist's Advice
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on July 15, 2025
My advice: forget about discretion and silence. To truly experience the Common Murre, you must dive into the heart of a bustling colony. The real spectacle, both unique and moving, is not a song, but an act of bravery that you can witness at the right time.
Position yourself with binoculars facing a colony (like the one at the Sept-Îles in Brittany) around late June or early July. In the evening, you might be lucky enough to witness the "leap of faith." Watch the chicks, still unable to fly, literally launch themselves into the void from the cliff to join their father calling them from the water below. This great plunge, often from several tens of meters, is an unforgettable moment and the strongest behavioral signature of this species.
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Murre vs. Razorbill: Don't Confuse Them!
The Common Murre is often confused with another alcid, the Razorbill (*Alca torda*), which frequents the same habitats. The bill shape is the most reliable feature to tell them apart. Here's how to identify them with certainty:
Common Murre
Overall shape: Slender and elegant silhouette.
Bill: Long, thin, and pointed, like a dagger.
Head (in summer): Uniform chocolate-brown on the head and throat.
Tail: Fairly short and not very prominent.
Razorbill
Overall shape: Stockier, more "blocky," with a large head.
Bill:Thick, tall, and laterally compressed, with a vertical white bar in summer.
Head (in summer): Deep black, with a thin white line running from the eye to the bill.
Tail: Long, pointed, and often cocked upwards.
Tip: Focus on the bill! The Murre's is thin and pointed, while the Razorbill's is massive and resembles a cleaver.
Habitat and Distribution
The Common Murre is a pelagic bird that lives on the temperate and subarctic waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. For breeding, it exclusively seeks out sea cliffs and steep rocky islands, where it nests in very dense colonies.
Distribution Map
The map below illustrates the circumpolar distribution of the Common Murre, highlighting its nesting areas (often on coasts) and its vast wintering grounds on the open sea.
Present all year (Resident)
Breeding range (Nesting)
Non-breeding range (Wintering)
Diet and Diving
The Common Murre's diet consists mainly of small, schooling fish like sand lances, sprats, herrings, and capelin. It is an exceptional diver that uses its wings to "fly" underwater. It can reach depths of over 180 meters (590 feet), although its dives more commonly occur between 20 and 50 meters.
A Unique Egg
The breeding of the Common Murre is fascinating. It builds no nest. The female lays her **single egg directly on the bare rock** of a cliff ledge, which is often very narrow. To prevent the egg from rolling off and falling, it has evolved a highly conical (pyriform) shape. If jostled, it doesn't roll in a straight line but pivots on itself. Each egg has unique patterns of spots and colors, which is thought to help parents recognize it among the hundreds of other eggs in the colony.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Common Murre a penguin?
No, it's a common confusion! The Murre belongs to the alcid family, like the Razorbill or the Puffin. Penguins, on the other hand, live exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere and cannot fly. The Common Murre is an excellent flier.
Why is the murre's egg pear-shaped?
This conical shape is a remarkable adaptation. Since the egg is laid on a narrow rock ledge with no nest, this shape prevents it from rolling off into the void. If pushed, it tends to pivot in a circle on its point.
Where can you see Common Murres?
Common Murres are found across the subarctic coasts of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Major colonies can be seen in places like the UK, Iceland, Norway, Newfoundland (Canada), and Alaska (USA). During winter, they can be seen at sea off these coasts.
