Common Murre

Identification

The common murre is a large auk measuring 38–46 cm in length with a wingspan of 61–73 cm. In breeding plumage, the nominate subspecies is strikingly black on the head, back and wings, with crisp white underparts, a thin dark pointed bill, and a small rounded black tail. After moulting into winter plumage, the face becomes white with a distinctive dark spur behind the eye, and dark streaks often appear on the flanks. Some individuals in the North Atlantic, known as "bridled guillemots," display a white ring around the eye extending back as a white line—a polymorphism that becomes more common farther north. Subspecies U. a. albionis appears dark brown rather than black, particularly noticeable in southern British colonies. Males and females are indistinguishable in the field, with weights ranging from 945 g in southern populations to 1,044 g in northern birds.

Range & Habitat

The common murre has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in low-Arctic and boreal waters across the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Five recognised subspecies occupy distinct regions: U. a. aalge inhabits coastal southeast Canada, southwest Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland, south Norway, and the Baltic Sea; U. a. hyperborea ranges from coastal north Norway to Svalbard and northwest Russia; U. a. albionis occupies the British Isles, Heligoland, northwest France, and the west Iberian Peninsula; U. a. inornata is found from the Kamchatka Peninsula through the Kuril Islands and Aleutians to western Alaska and southwest Canada; and U. a. californica inhabits the eastern North Pacific coast from north Washington to south California. The species spends most of its time at sea, returning to land only to breed on rocky cliff shores and islands.

Behaviour & Diet

Common murres are highly specialised divers, using their wings to "fly" through the water column with remarkable agility, though they are fast but not very agile in direct flight. They typically dive to depths of 30–60 m, with recorded dives reaching depths up to 180 m. They breed in dense colonies where nesting pairs may be in bodily contact with neighbours, making no nest and instead incubating their single egg between the adult's feet on a bare rock ledge. Eggs hatch after approximately 30 days, and chicks, born downy, can regulate body temperature after 10 days. Around 20 days after hatching, the flightless chick leaves the ledge, gliding down with fluttering wings accompanied by its male parent, and is capable of diving immediately upon entering the water. After breeding, both sexes moult and become flightless for 1–2 months. Some populations remain near breeding sites year-round rather than migrating, and adults reduce flying time during winter while gaining the ability to forage nocturnally.

Best Time & Places to See It

The best viewing opportunities occur during the breeding season when common murres gather in vast, accessible colonies on coastal cliffs and islands throughout their circumpolar range. North Atlantic populations can be observed from Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland, Norway, and the British Isles, while North Pacific birds are found along coasts from Russia through Alaska to California. Some populations remain close to breeding sites year-round and return to nest sites from autumn onwards, making these locations productive throughout much of the year. Winter viewing is possible, though birds spend more time at sea during this season.

Photography Tips

Photographing common murres is most rewarding at breeding colonies, where their dense aggregations on cliff faces offer excellent compositional opportunities and predictable behaviour. The stark contrast between black breeding plumage and white underparts renders beautiful results in natural light, particularly during overcast conditions that reduce harsh shadows on cliff faces. Winter-plumaged birds offer different aesthetic appeal with their white faces and dark eye-stripes. Photographing chicks departing the nest provides dramatic action sequences, as does capturing adults diving or emerging from water. A telephoto lens is essential for safe, non-disruptive photography at cliff colonies, and early morning light often provides optimal conditions for capturing birds against the sea backdrop.