A medium black-and-white seabird with distinctive razor-like bill.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The razorbill is a North Atlantic colonial seabird and the only extant member of the genus Alca of the family Alcidae, the auks. It is the closest living relative of the extinct great auk. Historically, it has also been known as "auk", "razor-billed auk" and "lesser auk".
Source: Wikipedia — Razorbill Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Chunky black-and-white seabird with a deep, blunt, laterally flattened black bill crossed by a thin white vertical line; black above, white below, often cocking the pointed tail up.
Similar species. Murres have slimmer, pointed bills; the Razorbill's deep, blunt, white-lined bill and cocked tail are diagnostic.
Voice. Low growls and croaks at the colony; silent at sea.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small fish caught by wing-propelled diving.
Behavior. A stocky North Atlantic auk, the closest living relative of the extinct Great Auk; pursues fish underwater with its wings and nests in crevices on rocky coasts.
§ Range
North Atlantic
§ Habitat
Coastal cliffs and waters
§ Threats
Oil spills, climate change.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the razorbill is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Reduce ocean pollution.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Razorbill
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Alca torda
- IUCN Red List — search for Alca torda
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Alca torda
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
