Razorbill (Alca torda)
Scotland
The Razorbill is mainly found breeding in coastal sites from Spitsbergen, through Scandinavia to Iceland, Britain and northwest France. In winter it is found as far south as Spain and Morocco.
Razorbill
Razorbill: Alca torda
Distribution: North Atlantic, breeding on coasts from western Greenland to New England (U.S.A.), Bear Island to Brittany.
Razorbill Alca torda
Identification Tips:
Length: 14 inches
Sexes similar
Immature like basic-plumaged adult but bill thinner
Large alcid that dives for food from water surface
Heavy, dark bill traversed by white lines
Pointed tail ...
Razorbills
Auks
The Razorbill, Alca torda, is the only living member of the genus Alca.
The Razorbill (Alca torda) is a nesting bird of the extreme northeastern U.S. along the Maine coast in a few areas. The bird also nests on the far eastern Canada coast, as well as Greenland and Iceland.
Razorbills breed on rocky islands and steep, mainland cliffs. Most use nest sites that are at least partly enclosed, often in crevices among boulders or abandoned burrows of other species.
Razorbill Winter - The winter adult Razorbill has white on the throat extending to the back of the head, a faded white curved stripe behind the eye, and lacks white line from bill to the eye.
Razorbill & Common Murre
Razorbill (left) & Common Murre, Alca torda & Uria aalge
More Images » ...
Diet The razorbill feeds mostly on fish, shrimp and squid. It dives from the surface of the water and can reach depths of up to 60 feet to reach its prey.
Life Cycle The razorbill nests in colonies on cliffs or islands among the boulders and rocks.
Razorbill
Alca torda Linnaeus
Status Uncommon transient, rare in summer and winter. Breeds.
Razorbill Alca torda Found: North Atantic coasts, including those of North America
Photographed by: 1 - 5_ Dick Daniels in Great Britain 6) Dennis Donohue (Shutterstock)
Aalso present in the Carolinas.
Razorbills lay their eggs on bare rocks. They prefer broad ledges with cracks or crevices.
These birds were photographed by Emmalee Tarry on Machias Seal Island.
Breeding plumage Razorbill in flight. Outstanding photo by Leonard Medlock.
The razorbill is a medium-sized seabird. It is black above and white below. It has a thick black beak which is deep and blunt, unlike the thinner bill of the similar guillemot.
Razorbills are true auks only found in the Atlantic Ocean
The extant auks (subfamily Alcinae) are broken up into 2 main groups: the usually high-billed puffins (tribe Fraterculini) and auklets (tribe Aethiini), ...
Fighting razorbills are unaware of an impending gull attack.
Distribution
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
Razorbill Alca torda: Andrew's Point, Cape Ann, MA, 29 Jan
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle: Jodrey State Fish Pier, Gloucester Harbor, MA, 29 Jan
PIGEON GUILLEMOT Cepphus columba: Seattle, WA, 04 Aug ...
Razorbill (Alca torda)
Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea)
Herring gull (Larus argentatus)
Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus)
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) ...
A special interest attaches to the great auk (Alca impennis), owing to its recent extinction and the value of its eggs to collectors. (See GAREFOWL; also GUILLEMOT, PUFFIN, RAZORBILL.)
<< Augustusbad
Francois Victor Alphonse Aulard >> ...
It usually stayed very close to shore (within 10 feet) as it swam up and down the shore, and could even be seen underwater when it dived to chase fish. There were also many Razorbills and even a Dovekie in the area! ...
Alca torda - Razorbill
Cepphus
Cepphus grylle - Black Guillemot
Cepphus carbo - Spectackled Guillemot
Pinguinus
Pinguinus impennis - Great Auk (extinct)
Alle
Alle alle - Little Auk
Fratercula ...
 See also: Guillemot, Puffin, Murre, Gannet, Kittiwake
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