Page 232 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

SKUAS, GULLS,AND TERNS
Order Charadriiformes Family Alcidae Species Alca torda
Razorbill horizontal white white line
line in front of eye
on bill
black head
black cap (juvenile has
dusky cheeks)
pointed thick,
tail flattened
white throat
and breast bill

ADULT
broad (SUMMER) ADULT (WINTER)
white
sides to
dark rump
black upperparts
white
underside
IN FLIGHT
ot usually so numerous as the Guillemot, ADULT
Nthe Razorbill is nevertheless a frequent (SUMMER)
constituent of northwest European seabird
colonies, often less conspicuous because
of its preference for cavities rather than
open ledges. In summer, Razorbills
tend to come into sheltered bays and
estuaries more than Guillemots.They
are usually best separated by structure, the
often cocked, pointed tail being a useful
feature compared with the short, square tail
of a Guillemot; the head and bill shape are FLIGHT: fast, low, direct with quick, almost
the best clues at close range. whirring wingbeats; swoops upwards to land on cliff.
VOICE Prolonged, tremulous
growls and various grunting
sounds at colony, deep urrr.
NESTING On sheltered ledge
or cavity between boulders;
1 egg; 1 brood; May–June.
FEEDING Dives, often very
deep, from surface to catch STRONG FLIERS
fish using its wings Razorbills fly strongly despite their small wings, with constant
underwater. wingbeats unlike superficially similar shearwaters.
SIMILAR SPECIES
OCCURRENCE
smaller BRUNNICH’S GUILLEMOT stubby, PUFFIN Breeds on rocky coasts from
head sharp, see p.433 triangular bill see p.227 Iceland south to NW France,
dagger-
like bill usually on cliffs with cavities or
boulder scree. Widespread in
winter but scarce inshore. Very
rare inland even after gales.
GUILLEMOT Seen in the UK
see p.229 colourful, triangular bill J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 37–39cm (14 1 ⁄2 –15 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 63–67cm (25–26in) Weight 590–730g (21–26oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan 10–20 years Status Secure
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