Alca torda
The Razorbill (*Alca torda*) is a striking medium-sized seabird, instantly recognizable by its robust, deep, laterally compressed bill, often adorned with a vertical white line during the breeding season. Measuring approximately 38-43 cm (15-17 inches) in length with a wingspan of 60-69 cm (24-27 inches) and weighing 500-750 grams (1.1-1.6 lbs), it sports a sleek black plumage on its head, neck, back, and wings, sharply contrasted by a pure white belly and undertail coverts. A distinctive whi...
Razorbills primarily inhabit cold temperate and subarctic coastal waters, nesting on steep cliff ledges, rocky outcrops, and boulder-strewn slopes of oceanic islands and mainland coasts during the breeding season. They spend the non-breeding season entirely at sea, favoring offshore waters of the...
Their diet consists almost exclusively of small schooling fish such as capelin, sand lance, herring, and sprats, supplemented occasionally by marine crustaceans and marine worms. They forage by pursuit diving, actively swimming underwater using their wings.
Razorbills are diurnal, spending their days foraging at sea and returning to colonies to roost during the breeding season. They are expert pursuit divers, using their powerful wings to 'fly' underwater at depths of up to 100 meters (330 feet), catching prey with their specialized bills. During co...
The Razorbill's breeding range spans the North Atlantic Ocean, encompassing coastal areas of eastern Canada (Newfoundland, Labrador, Gulf of St. Lawrence), Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and northwestern France, with some isol...
Least Concern
- Razorbills are the only living species in the genus *Alca*, making them truly unique among auks. - Despite their short wings, adapted for underwater propulsion, they are surprisingly powerful and direct fliers in the air, beating their wings up to 10 times per second. - Razorbill chicks leave t...