The Razorbill (Alca torda): Sharp-Dressed Auk of the Atlantic
The Razorbill, with its uniquely shaped bill, is the only living species in the genus Alca.
How to Identify the Razorbill
The Razorbill is a medium-sized seabird with a robust build. Its plumage changes between summer and winter.
In breeding plumage (Summer)
It is jet black on its back, head, and neck, contrasting with a pure white belly. Its most distinctive feature is its thick, blunt, black bill, which is laterally compressed and crossed by a thin, vertical white line. Another thin white line extends from the eye to the bill.
In non-breeding plumage (Winter)
The black plumage becomes duller. The throat, chin, and sides of the neck turn white, making the bird look like it has a white "bib" that extends up behind the eye.
Razorbill vs. Common Murre (Guillemot): A Clear Guide
One of the most common identification challenges in the North Atlantic is telling a Razorbill from a Common Murre (known as Guillemot in the UK). They often nest in the same colonies, but their bills are the giveaway.
Feature
Razorbill
Common Murre (Guillemot)
Bill Shape
Thick, blunt, and deep (like a tiny puffin's) with a white line.
Long, thin, and pointed (dagger-like), all black.
Head Shape
Flatter, more angular head profile.
Rounder, smoother head profile.
Plumage
Jet black back.
Dark chocolate-brown back.
Tail
Longer, pointed tail, often cocked upwards when swimming.
Short, rounded tail, not cocked up.
Flight and Diving: A Master of Two Worlds
The Razorbill's flight is characterized by very fast, whirring wingbeats.
The Razorbill is an excellent flier. Its flight is highly characteristic: **fast, direct, and low over the water**. It is propelled by very rapid, whirring wingbeats, which are necessary to keep its heavy, less-than-aerodynamic body airborne. Its small wings are a perfect evolutionary compromise: large enough for flight, yet short and powerful enough to serve as flippers for its underwater dives in pursuit of fish.
Calls and Vocalizations
The Razorbill is rather silent at sea. It becomes noisy at its nesting sites, emitting low, rattling growls. The sound is a deep, guttural, and prolonged "arrrr" that fills the colony's atmosphere.
Growling calls of a Razorbill in a colony:
Habitat and Distribution
This is a strictly marine bird of the North Atlantic. It spends most of its life on the open sea. It only approaches the coast for breeding, nesting in colonies on the ledges of rocky cliffs and steep islands, often alongside other auks like murres and puffins.
Conservation Status
The Razorbill is listed as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN, but its populations are considered Near Threatened in Europe. It is highly sensitive to marine pollution (oil spills) and fluctuations in food resources (overfishing), which can have a dramatic impact on its breeding success.
