During breeding season, the distinctive North Atlantic Razorbill (Alca torda) is typically found on rocky beaches and islands. The name comes from this bird’s sharp, broad beak and sleek black-and-white plumage. Razorbills, like puffins and guillemots, are adept divers who use their wings to “fly” underwater to hunt herring and sand eels.

Razorbills form monogamous partnerships and return to the same nesting locations year after year. Females lay one egg every season in cliff ledge colonies. The chick hatches after three weeks of incubation and nutrition by both parents. Razorbills rarely land after breeding season.

Alca torda, Latrabjarg, Westfjorde, Island. Coastal cliffs in closed or lightly exposed areas. Razorbills cover the North Atlantic.

 Although not endangered, Razorbills threaten overfishing, oil spills, and climate change-related habitat degradation. These seabirds must travel farther to acquire food as their principal food sources, such herring, diminish, which can affect their breeding success. Sustainable fishing and coastal habitat protection are crucial to Razorbill conservation.