Razorbill (Alca torda)

Description

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Razorbill fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Razorbill description

The handsome razorbill (Alca torda) has a characteristic deep, flattened ⁽²⁾, wedge-shaped ⁽⁵⁾ bill, which is black in colour with a white line. The underparts are white, and the black upperparts are darker than those of the similar guillemot (Uria aalge). Juveniles in their first winter have smaller and more pointed bills, which lack the white line seen in adults ⁽²⁾. This species is not particularly vocal, but a deep creaking 'urrr' is produced by breeding individuals ⁽²⁾. In Cornwall, an alternative common name for the razorbill is 'murre', which is probably imitative of this call ⁽⁵⁾. The scientific name Alca is thought to derive from the Icelandic word for this bird, Alka, which is thought to imitate another call of the razorbill, a harsh 'arrc-arrc' ⁽⁵⁾.

French

Petit Pingouin.

Size

Wingspan: 60-69 cm ⁽²⁾

Length: 38-43 cm ⁽²⁾

Razorbill biology

Breeding colonies form in spring; each razorbill pair has a single brood consisting of one egg each year ⁽²⁾. The egg is laid in a crevice or hole, or a nest of pebbles ⁽²⁾. The young leave the breeding colony while still unfledged, at around 18 days after hatching and are looked after by the parents for some time ⁽⁷⁾.

In winter, the razorbill's diet is known to consist mainly of fish such as herring, whiting and sand eel, although crustaceans and worms are also eaten ⁽⁶⁾. Patterns of movement are complex, but it seems that birds in their first year travel further distances than adults ⁽⁶⁾.

Razorbill range

Occurs in the North Atlantic; Britain is a stronghold ⁽⁶⁾. The razorbill breeds in internationally important numbers around the British coast. In combination, British and Irish totals represent around 20 percent of the world population ⁽²⁾.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

See this species on Google Earth.

Razorbill habitat

The razorbill inhabits both coastal and oceanic waters ⁽³⁾, and breeds on coastal cliffs and rock stacks in summer ⁽³⁾.

Razorbill status

The razorbill is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾. Receives general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act ⁽³⁾. Included in the Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List (medium conservation concern) ⁽⁴⁾.

Razorbill threats

The razorbill can be very seriously affected by oil pollution, and is particularly vulnerable when dispersing away from the breeding colonies ⁽²⁾. Other types of marine pollution, including heavy metals used in industry and organochloride pesticides used in agriculture are also threats and are known to cause deaths ⁽²⁾. Furthermore, food shortages, which may be caused by over-fishing, are a potentially serious problem ⁽²⁾.

Razorbill conservation

Seabirds, including the razorbill, were among the first bird species given protection by legislation. A number of major seabird colonies are protected by the RSPB and other conservation organisations as nature reserves ⁽⁸⁾. Research into the ecology of seabirds, and the effects of the industrial fishing of sand eels on their populations is needed ⁽²⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Find out more

For more information on the razorbill and other bird species:

• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org
• The RSPB:
  http://www.rspb.org.uk

Authentication

Information authenticated by the RSPB:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/

Glossary

Crustaceans

Diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, woodlice and barnacles.

References

1. IUCN Red List (March, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Mullarney, K., Svensson, L., Zetterstrom, D., & Grant, P.J. (1999) Collins Bird Guide. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, London.
3. Batten, L.A., Bibby, C.J., Clement, P., Elliot, G.D. and Porter, R.F. (1990) Red Data Birds in Britain. T & A Poyser, London.
4. RSPB (2003) The population status of birds in the UK:
   http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/5_20625.pdf
5. Greenoak, F. (1979) All the birds of the air; the names, lore and literature of British birds. Book Club Associates, London.
6. Lack, P. (1986) The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland. T. & A. D. Poyser Ltd, Calton.
7. Cramp, S. (1985) The birds of the western palearctic Vol. IV. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
8. RSPB (2003) Pers. comm.