Birds diurnal

Common Murre

Uria aalge

Meet the 'penguin of the north,' a deep-diving specialist that turns rugged coastal cliffs into bustling vertical cities. With a sleek tuxedo-like coat and the ability to fly through both air and water, the Common Murre is a true marvel of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 38–46 cm (15–18 in); Wingspan: 61–73 cm (24–29 in); Weight: 775–1,250 g (1.7–2.8 lbs)

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Colors

Dark chocolate-brown to black head and back; snow-white underparts; thin white trailing edge on wings; winter plumage features a white face with a dark line behind the eye.

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Key Features

Upright, penguin-like posture when on land
Long, pointed black bill
Dense, social nesting clusters
Whirring, direct flight pattern low over water

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6 AM - 11 AM and 3 PM - 7 PM

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Season April - August (Breeding season at land-based colonies)

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Diet Forages for small schooling fish such as sand lance, herring, capelin, and cod, supplemented by crustaceans and marine worms.

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Habitat Pelagic (open ocean) and coastal rocky cliffs; rarely seen near suburban areas unless located directly on a northern coastline.

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Behavior

The Common Murre is a master of the open ocean, spending the vast majority of its life at sea. Known for their incredible diving abilities, they 'fly' underwater using their wings as paddles to reach depths of up to 100 meters (330 feet) in search of prey. On the water, they often float in large rafts, frequently dipping their heads below the surface to scout for fish.

During the breeding season, they become highly social and vocal, gathering in massive, noisy colonies on narrow cliff ledges. They do not build nests; instead, they lay a single, uniquely pointed egg directly on the bare rock. This egg is shaped like a top so that if it is bumped, it spins in a tight circle rather than rolling off the cliff. Their interaction with humans is usually limited to sightings from coastal overlooks or boats, as they rarely venture inland.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Common Murre on a trail camera requires a coastal strategy. Since these birds are cliff-dwellers, your best bet is to mount cameras on stable coastal overlooks or near known 'loafing' rocks where they rest between fishing trips. Because the salt air is highly corrosive, ensure your camera housing is weather-sealed and consider a protective silicone skin. Aim for a 45-degree angle downward if you are placing the camera on a higher ledge looking onto a nesting shelf, but always prioritize your safety and the birds' privacy; never disturb a nesting colony to set a camera.

Lighting is your biggest challenge and your greatest asset. The white underparts of the Murre can easily 'blow out' in bright midday sun, losing all detail. Set your camera’s exposure compensation to -1.0 or -2.0 if possible, and focus your activity during the 'golden hours' of dawn and dusk. Use a high-speed trigger setting—these birds move fast. If your camera supports a 'burst' mode, use it to catch the moment they transition from an upright stance into a dive or flight.

Since Common Murres are not attracted to traditional backyard feeders, you cannot lure them with food. Instead, look for their natural 'runways'—specific spots on the cliff edge where they consistently take off or land. A wide-angle lens is often better than a zoom if you can safely get within 10-15 feet of a frequent landing spot, as it captures the scale of the colony. If you are using an AI-powered camera, ensure the firmware is updated to recognize seabirds, as their upright posture can sometimes be misidentified as small mammals.

For those living near the shore, a 'pier-cam' or a camera mounted on a dock piling can yield surprising results. Murres often forage in the choppy water near structures. Use a polarising filter over the lens if possible to cut through the water's surface glare, allowing the camera to capture the bird even when it is partially submerged. In the winter, focus your efforts on seaward-facing cameras, as the birds will be further from the cliffs and bobbing in the swells.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Common Murre.

Thick-billed Murre

The Thick-billed Murre has a shorter, stouter beak with a prominent white line along the upper jaw and darker black plumage.

Razorbill

Razorbills have a much thicker, blunt, vertically-flattened bill with white vertical markings.

Black Guillemot

Much smaller with bright red feet and a large white wing patch, unlike the tuxedo-pattern of the Common Murre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Murres are diurnal and most active during daylight hours. They are particularly busy in the early morning and late afternoon when they fly between their ocean hunting grounds and their cliff-side colonies to feed their young.

You generally cannot attract Common Murres to a typical backyard. They are strictly marine birds and do not visit feeders. To see them, you must live directly on a rocky coastline within their northern range or visit a coastal bird sanctuary during the summer months.

Their diet consists almost entirely of small, fatty schooling fish like herring, sand eels, and capelin. They are exceptional divers and catch their prey by chasing it underwater using their wings to swim.

No, they are rarely found in suburban areas. They are pelagic birds, meaning they live on the open ocean and only come to land—specifically remote, rocky cliffs—to breed. You will only see them in 'suburban' settings if your home is on a cliff overlooking the North Atlantic or Pacific.

Common Murres have a longer, thinner bill and brown-tinged plumage, whereas Thick-billed Murres are darker (more black) and have a distinct white line along the 'gape' or edge of their upper bill.

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