Common Murre

Dark chocolate-brown to black head, neck, and upperparts, with crisp white underparts. In winter, the throat and sides of the head below the eye become white. Some individuals (known as 'bridled') feature a white eye-ring extending backward as a white line. Sexes are visually similar.

Dark brown/black head and back, contrasting clean white belly, dagger-like pointed bill, and upright posture on ledges.

Length: 38-45 cm (15-18 in), Wingspan: 61-73 cm (24-29 in), Weight: 775-1250 g (1.7-2.8 lbs)

Generally silent at sea, but vocal at breeding colonies with a series of low, growling murrs, croaks, and clicking sounds.

Primarily small schooling fish such as capelin, sand lance, and herring, supplemented by squid, crustaceans, and marine worms, caught by underwater pursuit-diving.

Open marine waters during the non-breeding season; steep coastal cliffs, rocky islands, and ledges during the breeding season.

Partial migrant. Northern populations move further south in winter to avoid sea ice, while southern populations are largely sedentary.

Does not build a physical nest; a single pyriform (pear-shaped) egg is laid directly on a bare rock ledge on a steep cliff. Both parents incubate and feed the chick.

Thick-billed Murre, which has a thicker, shorter bill with a white line along the cutting edge. Razorbill, which has a heavier, blunt-ended bill marked with a vertical white stripe.

Acts as an important marine predator, helping regulate fish populations and serving as a key bioindicator of marine ecosystem health.

Least Concern, though local populations can be severely impacted by oil spills, overfishing, and climate change.

Visit rugged coastal cliffs and sea stacks during the breeding season (May to July) where they gather in massive, dense colonies.

The pear shape of the Common Murre's egg prevents it from rolling off narrow cliff ledges; if nudged, it spins in a tight circle rather than rolling straight down.