Razorbill Alca torda

Identification Tips:

• Length: 14 inches
• Sexes similar
• Immature like basic-plumaged adult but bill thinner
• Large alcid that dives for food from water surface
• Heavy, dark bill traversed by white lines
• Pointed tail
• Thin white trailing edge to secondaries visible at rest
• Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed

Adult alternate

• Black head, neck, back, wings, and tail
• White breast, belly, and undertail coverts

Adult basic

• White chin and throat
• Less crisp division between upperparts and underparts

Similar species:

Murres are perhaps most similar to Razorbills but have thinner bills, rounded tails, and dusky flanks. Basic-plumaged Atlantic Puffins also have large bills but have an obvious face pattern.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.