The Razorbill (Alca torda): Sharp-Dressed Auk of the Atlantic

A Razorbill in breeding plumage standing on a rocky cliff. — The Razorbill, with its uniquely shaped bill, is the only living species in the genus Alca.

The "Penguin" of the North Atlantic

The Razorbill (Alca torda) is a striking seabird of the North Atlantic, instantly recognizable by its smart black and white plumage and upright posture, which give it a penguin-like appearance. It is the closest living relative of the extinct Great Auk. The Razorbill gets its name from its most distinctive feature: a thick, deep, black bill crossed by a white line, which looks as sharp as a razor. A true master of two elements, it uses its short wings for fast, whirring flight over the water and as powerful flippers to "fly" underwater in pursuit of fish.

Our Ornithologist's Tip

By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on July 29, 2025

My advice: To truly appreciate the Razorbill, visit a seabird cliff during the breeding season (spring to early summer). The key challenge is not just spotting a black and white seabird, but confidently telling it apart from a Common Murre.

Your 'eureka' moment will come when you stop looking at the general shape and focus intently on the bill. Look for that thick, deep, almost comically blunt bill marked with a fine, vertical white line. That is the Razorbill's unmistakable signature. Once you train your eye to see that bill, you'll be able to pick them out from a bustling, noisy colony with ease. It's the most rewarding identification you can make on a seabird cliff.

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

A Razorbill in flight over the sea. — 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between a Razorbill and a Common Murre?

The key difference is the bill. The Razorbill has a thick, deep, and blunt bill with a vertical white line, much like a puffin's. The Common Murre (or Guillemot) has a long, thin, pointed, dagger-like bill that is entirely black.

What does a Razorbill sound like?

The Razorbill is mostly silent at sea. However, at its breeding colonies, it produces distinctive low, rattling, guttural growls, often described as a deep 'arrrr' sound.

Where do Razorbills live?

Razorbills are strictly marine birds of the North Atlantic Ocean. They spend the majority of their lives on the open sea and only come to land to breed on rocky cliffs and islands.

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.