Razorbill

Alca torda

The Razorbill is a small colonial seabird that can be found along the coast of Maine. They are easily identified by their black and white plumage and their distinctive “razor-like” bill. Razorbills are excellent swimmers and divers and can often be seen feeding in the Gulf of Maine’s coastal waters.

Razorbills Can Fly Underwater

Like their close relative, the Atlantic Puffin, Razorbills use their wings to “fly” through the water and their feet to steer in pursuit of their prey. They can propel themselves in short bursts, doing most of their hunting 20-30 feet below the surface to catch fish and other small marine creatures.

Nesting Parents

Razorbills form monogamous relationships, and pairs typically mate for life. The importance of this mating is demonstrated in their habit of spending their first breeding season attempting courtship. Razorbill pairs typically establish their nests on steep coastal cliffs. However, in Maine steep cliffs are somewhat limited and most Razorbills nest in rocky burrows or crevasses on offshore granite islands. The female typically lays a single eggs, and parents take equal turns incubating the eggs.

Leaving the Nest is a Leap of Faith

When the time comes for a Razorbill chick to leave the nest, at around 20 days of age, the chicks are still unable to fly. The down-covered chick will bravely leave their burrow and join the male in the water. They continue to live out at sea with the male parent until they can fly and hunt on their own.

Razorbills Can Dive Over 300ft Below the Surface

Razorbills are accomplished divers and can reach depths of 330 feet in pursuit of their prey. They’re typically only submerged for 20 seconds during their hunting but can remain underwater for nearly an entire minute when necessary.