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Razorbill

Alca torda

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Auks, Murres, and Puffins
Razorbill, photographed by Thoslee

Photo: Thoslee · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Razorbill

Black-and-white seabird with a thick and blunt bill. Breeds in colonies on rocky islands; winters on the ocean. Black above and white below with thin white line in front of eye. In winter, white throat wraps up behind eye, but pattern is less crisp than on Common Murre. Similar to other murres but note different bill shape and longer tail that is sometimes held up. Found singly or in flocks. Sometimes seen from shore in large numbers following the passage of a winter storm. Frequently dives underwater searching for fish.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 41 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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