Razorbill Bird Facts (Alca torda)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Razorbill is a striking seabird with a black upper body and white underparts. Its distinctive black, flattened bill has a white line near the tip. During breeding season, the plumage becomes fully black above and white below.

In winter, the face and throat turn white. Juveniles resemble adults but have a smaller, less developed bill. Both sexes look similar, with males slightly larger on average. These birds stand very upright on land, on large black webbed feet.

Size

Length

38cm to 43cm

Wingspan

60cm to 69cm

Weight

590g to 890g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Razorbill is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Razorbill is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Razorbill is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Razorbill can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Razorbill is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Razorbill is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Razorbill is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Razorbill is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Razorbill is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Razorbill is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Razorbill is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Razorbill is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Razorbills inhabit the North Atlantic Ocean, breeding on coastal cliffs and rocky islands. Their range extends from Arctic regions to more temperate areas, including the coasts of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Europe.

In the UK, significant breeding populations can be found in Scotland, Wales, and parts of England. During winter, they disperse widely across the North Atlantic, sometimes reaching as far south as the Mediterranean.

In the US, the best place to see them is in the Gulf of Maine, where about 300 pairs nest. However, these birds wander as far south as Massachusetts in the non-breeding season.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Razorbill. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greenland Iceland Ireland Latvia Lithuania Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sweden The United Kingdom

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Norway Russia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United States of America

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belgium Morocco Netherlands Poland Portugal Spain

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria Austria Croatia Czech Republic Egypt Hungary Italy Japan Malta Mauritania Montenegro Serbia Slovenia Tunisia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Razorbills display remarkable agility, particularly in water. Their ability to 'fly' underwater, reaching depths of over 100 metres, and their swift flying speed of up to 80 km/h (around 50 mph) demonstrate exceptional manoeuvrability in both air and sea.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not the largest seabird, Razorbills possess considerable strength for their size. Their capacity to dive to significant depths and propel themselves underwater in pursuit of prey indicates robust muscular power.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Razorbills show good adaptability, thriving in both Arctic and temperate regions. Their ability to switch between aerial and underwater 'flight' and to adjust their diet based on available prey species demonstrates flexibility in varying environments.

Aggressiveness 55

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Razorbills are not notably aggressive birds. They form large, peaceful flocks at sea and during breeding. However, they likely display some territorial behaviour when nesting, and their ability to hunt fish suggests a degree of predatory drive.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Razorbill's endurance is impressive. Their long-distance migrations, ability to dive repeatedly to considerable depths, and capacity to withstand harsh North Atlantic conditions all point to high stamina and resilience.

Diet

Razorbills are primarily piscivorous, hunting schooling fish such as sand eels, herring, and capelin.

They dive from the surface, using their wings to propel themselves underwater, often reaching depths of 25 meters or more. They may also consume some marine invertebrates, including crustaceans and molluscs.

They are accomplished hunters and can catch multiple fish on a single dive, although they also steal from other seabirds like Puffins.

Behaviour

Razorbills are excellent swimmers and divers, using their wings to 'fly' underwater in pursuit of prey.

They often gather in large flocks at sea, forming dense rafts on the water's surface. On land, they walk awkwardly with an upright posture, typically seen only during breeding season.

Vocalisation

Razorbills have a low, guttural call often described as a growling 'arr-uh'. During the breeding season, they produce a variety of croaks, grunts, and moans.

At sea, they are generally silent, occasionally emitting soft, purring sounds when in groups.

Nesting & Breeding

Razorbills form monogamous pairs and typically return to the same breeding sites each year. The breeding season begins in late spring, with peak activity in May and June.

They nest on narrow cliff ledges or in crevices, laying a single egg directly on the rock. The egg is pear-shaped and varies in colour from white to brown with dark markings.

Both parents incubate the egg for about 35 days and care for the chick. The young Razorbill leaves the nest after 18-23 days, often before it can fly, accompanied by the male parent to the sea.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Razorbills face threats from oil spills, fishing net entanglement, and climate change impacts on their prey species.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding colonies and marine habitats, as well as reducing pollution in their range.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

838,000 – 1,660,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Razor-billed Auk

Family:

Alcidae

Average Lifespan

13 years

Max Lifespan

42 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include large gulls, skuas, and ravens, which may prey on eggs and chicks. Adult Razorbills are occasionally hunted by seals or large predatory fish.

Did You Know?

Razorbills can dive to depths of over 100 meters in search of food.
They are among the fastest-flying auks, capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (around 50 mph).
Razorbill chicks leave the nesting site when only about 18 days old, unable to fly but ready to swim.

FAQs

Is the Razorbill a penguin?

Despite their upright posture and black and white plumage, Penguins and Razorbills are only distantly related. Razorbills are flying birds of the Alcidae family of the Northern Hemisphere, while Penguins are flightless Southern Hemisphere birds from the Spheniscidae family.

Is Razorbill a marine bird?

Razorbills are true seabirds that only come to land to nest. Some colonies nest around large estuaries and brackish water systems, but they rarely visit freshwater habitats.

References

1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Alca torda (errata version published in 2023). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22694852A228697220.
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2 3
report, 2017: Kolbeinsson & Poraninsson, Olsson & Hentati-Sundberg
4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source