Razorbill
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Razorbill in the UK
A common breeding seabird, though you need to visit a colony to see one well. The UK population was estimated at 165,000 pairs in 2015. Numbers rose by 40% between the 1969 to 1970 census and 2002. It is on the Amber list. Breeding success has been poor in many recent years, linked to shortages of sandeels, and the species is hit hard by winter storms and oil spills. Birds winter at sea.
Where and when to see a Razorbill
Sea cliffs and rocky islands in the north and west, and the Yorkshire coast. There are none breeding between the Humber and the Isle of Wight. Good colonies with public access include RSPB Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire, Skomer in Pembrokeshire, RSPB South Stack on Anglesey, RSPB Fowlsheugh in Aberdeenshire, St Bees Head in Cumbria and Rathlin Island in County Antrim. Visit from April to early July. By August the ledges are empty.
Habitat, diet and field notes
Habitat: Sea-cliffs (summer).
Diet: Fish.
Field note: Blade-shaped bill; black-and-white.
How to identify a Razorbill
Slightly smaller than a Guillemot and stockier. Upperparts are jet black, not brown. The bill is deep and flat-sided with a blunt tip, crossed by a white line, and a second white line runs from the bill to the eye. The tail is longer and pointed, and is often cocked up when the bird swims. In winter the throat and the cheek behind the eye turn white. It flies low and fast on whirring wings and looks thick-necked and heavy-headed.
Call and song
At the colony it gives a deep, creaking growl, 'urrr', like a slow door hinge. It is silent at sea. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.
Confusion species
- Common Guillemot: Guillemot is chocolate brown above with a slim, pointed bill and a shorter tail.
- Atlantic Puffin: Puffin is smaller with a pale grey face, orange legs and a bright triangular bill in summer.
- Little Auk: Little Auk is only Starling-sized, with a tiny stubby bill and very fast wingbeats.
Month by month
Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in British seabirds.
Conservation status and Birdedex points
In the Birdedex the Razorbill is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is Amber-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the middle level of concern in the UK.
Where to see it
Reserves where the Razorbill is on the list:
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- Western House MartinCommon · Villages
- Red-throated DiverUncommon · Lochs (summer); coast (winter)
- Arctic SkuaUncommon · Northern moors (summer); sea (passage)
- Arctic TernUncommon · Northern coasts (summer)
- Atlantic PuffinUncommon · Sea-cliff burrows (summer)
- Black-legged KittiwakeUncommon · Sea-cliff ledges (summer)
Razorbill: quick answers
Where can I see a Razorbill in the UK?
At a seabird colony between April and early July. RSPB Bempton Cliffs has clifftop viewpoints with birds close below, and a boat trip to Skomer gets you alongside them on the water. In winter, look from headlands after gales, when a few come close inshore.
What does a Razorbill eat?
Small shoaling fish, mostly sandeels, sprats and young herring. It swims under water using its wings and can carry several fish crosswise in the bill, as a Puffin does.
What is the difference between Razorbill and Guillemot?
Colour and bill. Razorbill is black with a thick, blunt bill marked with white, while Guillemot is brown with a thin, pointed one. Razorbills also tend to nest in crevices and on small ledges in pairs or loose groups, while Guillemots pack shoulder to shoulder on open ledges.
Kit that helps
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