New England Seabirds
News
Seabirds
Other Sea Animals
Where To Find
Pelagic Trips
Reports
Breeding Colonies
Conservation
Mail Box
Links
Wandering Birder
References
Sea Conditions
Comments

Seabirds | Alcids | Razorbill

Comments | Site Map

Razorbill

Alca torda

Breeding Plumage
Nesting
Winter Plumage
Where to See

Breeding Plumage
A handsome bird, the Razorbill in breeding plumage has a white horizontal line on the face. ( Sibley calls it a white loral line.) and a vertical white line on the bill. Notice the whole head is black. The lining of the mouth is bright yellow. The black eye is not visible in this photograph taken by Emmalee Tarry on Machias Seal Island.

Nesting Behavior

	Razorbills lay their eggs on bare rocks. They prefer broad ledges with cracks or crevices. These birds were photographed by Emmalee Tarry on Machias Seal Island.
Breeding plumage Razorbill in flight. Outstanding photo by Leonard Medlock.	Razorbills on Clift ledge by Leonard Medlock.

Winter Plumage

These four photos of the winter plumage Razorbill was taken by Gail O'Brien and used with her permission. All photos remain the property of the photographer.

The pictures were taken April 29, 2006 in the New York State Boat Channel, just north of the Jones Beach Theatre around 40 Degrees 36 minutes 13 seconds North, 73 Degrees 31 minutes 17 seconds West. P

In winter plumage, the Razorbill has a white patch behind the dark eye and loses the white face line.

The bill is all black and smaller than in breeding plumage.

Where To See
Razorbills are the most common Alcid seen from land or on the water in the winter. They congregate in flocks of 10-20 birds and can be seen flying from Andrews Point on Cape Ann in Massachusetts in winter. This is probably the easiest place for North American listers to dependably find this bird. For a better birding experience, see the Razorbill on Machias Seal Island in Maine.