Birds diurnal

Razorbill

Alca torda

The Razorbill is the ocean's most dapper survivor, a master diver with a tuxedo-like appearance and a striking striped bill. As the closest living relative to the extinct Great Auk, this resilient seabird brings a sense of prehistoric wonder to the North Atlantic cliffs.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 37–39 cm (14.5–15.5 in); Wingspan: 63–68 cm (25–27 in); Weight: 500–900 g (1.1–2.0 lbs)

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Colors

Deep jet-black upperparts and head with a starkly contrasting snow-white belly. A thin white line extends from the eye to the beak, and the black bill features a prominent vertical white band.

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Key Features

Thick, blunt black bill with a distinctive vertical white stripe
Pointed tail that often tilts upward when swimming
Jet black back and head contrasting with a bright white chest
Thin white line extending from the eye to the base of the beak

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6-10 AM and 4-8 PM

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Season April-August

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Diet Primarily piscivorous, they specialize in small schooling fish such as sand eels, herring, sprats, and capelin. They catch prey by diving from the surface and chasing fish through the water.

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Habitat Coastal cliffs, rocky islands, and boulder fields during breeding season; open marine waters far from shore during the winter.

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Behavior

Razorbills are incredibly social and resilient seabirds that spend the vast majority of their lives on the open ocean. They only return to land during the spring and summer to breed in large, noisy colonies on the most rugged North Atlantic cliffs. They are monogamous, often staying with the same partner for years, and engage in charming courtship displays like 'billing,' where they gently rub their beaks together.

Unlike many other birds, Razorbills are exceptional underwater 'fliers.' They use their powerful wings to propel themselves deep into the water column—sometimes reaching depths of over 100 meters—to hunt for schooling fish. While they are wary of human presence, they are quite focused on their social duties at the colony, making them a fascinating subject for remote observation as they guard their single egg or ferry fish back to their chick.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Razorbill on a trail camera requires a specialized approach since they are strictly coastal birds. Because they nest in deep rocky crevices or under large boulders rather than on open ledges, you should position your camera low to the ground—about 12 to 18 inches high. Angle the lens slightly upward if the camera is tucked into a crevice, or downward if you are monitoring a 'club' rock where birds gather to socialize. Ensure the camera is securely mounted to resist the high winds common in coastal environments.

Our most successful captures come from placing cameras near 'loafing ledges' or 'socialization rocks.' These are flat areas near the nesting sites where non-breeding birds and off-duty parents congregate to preen and interact. You don't need bait for these birds; instead, look for areas with high concentrations of white guano (droppings), which indicates a high-traffic zone. Set your camera to take a 3-5 shot burst. Razorbills are incredibly fast when landing or taking off, and a single photo often misses the most dramatic action.

Coastal lighting can be harsh, often 'blowing out' the bright white chest of the bird. If your camera has adjustable settings, try reducing the exposure compensation to -0.5 or -1.0 to preserve the detail in their white feathers. Since salt spray is a major issue, we recommend using a protective housing and cleaning the lens with a microfiber cloth every few days. The best time for action shots is during the morning when birds are most active returning from sea with bills full of fish for their chicks.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Razorbill.

Common Murre

Features a much thinner, pointed black beak and lacks the white vertical stripe found on the Razorbill.

Atlantic Puffin

Easily distinguished by its smaller size, bright orange legs, and colorful triangular beak.

Black Guillemot

Has bright red feet and large white wing patches, whereas the Razorbill has black feet and solid black wings (except for a thin trailing edge).

Frequently Asked Questions

Razorbills are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. Their peak activity occurs in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most frequently seen flying between the ocean and their cliffside nests to feed their young.

Because Razorbills are pelagic seabirds, they cannot be attracted to typical backyards. To see them, you must visit rocky coastlines or take boat tours to offshore islands in the North Atlantic during their spring breeding season.

Razorbills eat small, oily fish that live in the open ocean. Their favorites include sand eels, herring, and capelin. They are famous for being able to carry several fish at once in their bills while flying back to their chicks.

No, Razorbills are never found in suburban areas. They are strictly marine birds that spend their winters at sea and their summers on remote, rugged sea cliffs far from human development.

Look at the beak: Razorbills have a very thick, blunt, vertically-striped beak, while Common Murres (Guillemots) have a thin, pointed, all-black beak. Additionally, Razorbills have a longer, more pointed tail that they often cock upward like a wren.

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