Razorbill Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A thickset seabird with narrow wings, rather long tail, short neck, large head, and unique, thick, broad-tipped “razor” bill. Immatures have smaller bills than adults.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Black Guillemot, smaller than a Common Eider.

  crow-sized

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 16.9 in (43 cm)
    • Weight: 17.8-31.4 oz (505-890 g)
    • Wingspan: 24.8-26.8 in (63-68 cm)

  © Brian Sullivan

• Color Pattern

  Adult in breeding plumage is jet black above and white below, with a black bill with transverse white band. The interior of the mouth is vivid yellow. Nonbreeding adults have the throat and side of the face white rather than black.

• Behavior

  Dives underwater and catches fish by driving them toward the surface. Often forages in large flocks, mixed with other seabird species. Breeds in dense colonies, where males display by raising and lowering the bill to reveal a brilliant yellow interior.
• Habitat

  Nests on rocky islands and cliffs in the Atlantic Ocean. Forages in the ocean, in both littoral (nearshore) ocean areas and farther offshore, over the continental slope.