Razorbill

Identification

The razorbill is a striking North Atlantic seabird with predominantly black plumage on its head, neck, back, and feet, contrasted by a white belly. A thin white line extends from the eye to the bill, though this becomes less prominent outside the breeding season. The bird's most distinctive feature is its large, laterally compressed black bill with a blunt end, adorned with vertical grooves and a characteristic white broken line near the curved tip. During non-breeding season, the throat and face behind the eye become white. Males and females are identical in plumage, though males are generally larger, measuring 37–39 cm in body length with weights ranging from 505 to 890 grams. The razorbill's relatively long tail, unusual among auks, is visible in flight, with feet not protruding beyond it.

Range & Habitat

Razorbills are distributed across the North Atlantic, with approximately half of the global breeding population concentrated in Iceland. These colonial seabirds prefer water surface temperatures below 15°C and thrive in sub-arctic and boreal Atlantic waters. They nest along coastal cliffs, islands, and rocky shores, selecting enclosed or slightly exposed crevices for breeding. Unlike other auks, razorbills frequently move into larger estuaries with lower salinity levels to feed, demonstrating greater flexibility in their habitat use than their relatives, the thick-billed murre and common murre.

Behaviour & Diet

Razorbills are highly aquatic birds, coming to land only to breed. They are agile divers and fliers, capable of pursuing food underwater with precision. Monogamous and long-lived, they pair for life, with each female laying just one egg per year. Both parents share incubation duties equally and take turns foraging for their young once the chick hatches. The current global population is estimated between 838,000 and 1,600,000 mature individuals, though populations have fluctuated in recent years, declining from 2015 to 2021 but appearing stable or increasing at present.

Best Time & Places to See It

Iceland is the premier destination for observing razorbills, hosting roughly half the world's breeding population. Visitors should plan trips during the breeding season when birds are present at coastal cliffs and rocky shores. The North Atlantic's sub-arctic and boreal regions offer additional opportunities. Birds may occasionally appear outside their normal range as they search for alternative food sources due to environmental pressures.

Photography Tips

Photograph razorbills along coastal cliffs and rocky breeding colonies during breeding season for the most dramatic plumage and behavioral moments. The bird's distinctive bill and white facial markings are best captured in good light. Their diving and aquatic behavior provides dynamic shooting opportunities, while nesting crevices offer intimate portraits during the breeding period. The contrast between black and white plumage is striking and photographs well against sea and sky backgrounds.