About the Razorbill
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".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The razorbill has a white belly and a black head, neck, back, and feet during the breeding season. A thin white line also extends from the eyes to the end of the bill. Its head is darker than that of a common murre. During the non-breeding season, the throat and face behind the eye become white, and the white line on the face and bill becomes less prominent. The bill is black, deep and laterally compressed, with a blunt end. It has several vertical grooves or furrows near the curved tip, one of them adorned with a white, broken vertical line.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Razorbill sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mauritania, Bermuda, Monaco, Malta.
When to see it
Peak activity in July · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleThe black guillemot is a medium-sized bird with adults normally 30 to 32 centimetres (12 to 12+1⁄2 inches) in length and with wingspans of 52 to 58 cm (20+1⁄2 to 23 in).
Pigeon GuillemotCepphus columbaThe pigeon guillemot is a medium-sized auk, 30 to 37 cm (12 to 15 in) in length and weighing 450 to 550 g (16 to 19 oz).
Rhinoceros AukletCerorhinca monocerataThe rhinoceros auklet is a seabird and a close relative of the puffins.
Side by side: Black Guillemot vs Razorbill · Pigeon Guillemot vs Razorbill
Learn the Razorbill for real
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