Common Murre (also known as the Thin-billed Murre or Common Guillemot)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Alcidae, Genus: Uria, Species: U. aalge
Family: Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
- Shape
- Symmetrical to slightly asymmetrical vane, rounded tip, with a relatively broad, spade-like outline.
- Size
- Approximately 3 to 4 inches long. This is consistent with a medium-sized body or covert contour feather for this species.
- Rarity
- Common within its specific coastal and marine range, though colonies can be localized.
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Description
The Common Murre is a large auk with a sleek, torpedo-shaped body adapted for both flying through the air and 'fly-swimming' underwater in pursuit of fish. They have dark brown-black heads and backs, white underparts, and dagger-like bills. Their plumage is exceptionally dense to withstand cold ocean water.
Colour & Pattern
Rich dark charcoal grey or slate black on the distal exposed portion, transitioning abruptly to clean white at the proximal, downy base. The rachis is white near the base and darkens to match the vane distally.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous at the distal end with tightly interlocked barbs and barbicels for waterproofing, transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy, downy) structure near the base for thermal insulation.
Texture & Surface
Smooth, glossy, and tightly knit along the upper pennaceous portion to repel water during dives, while the base is soft, silky, and plumulaceous.
Key Features
Distinctive bicolored pattern (dark slate-grey tip sharply contrasting with a fluffy white base), firm waterproof pennaceous tip, and strong flexibility typical of diving seabird contour feathers.
Habitat
Marine and pelagic environments, spending most of its life on the open ocean, coming to land only to breed on steep rocky cliffs, sea stacks, and islands.
Geographic Range
Circumpolar distribution in subarctic and boreal waters of the Northern Hemisphere, ranging south in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to temperate regions.
Ecological Role
Apex marine predators of small schooling fish and invertebrates. They serve as important bioindicators of marine ecosystem health and fish stock abundance.
Similar Species
Other alcids such as Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia) or Razorbills (Alca torda). Distinguishing features include subtle variations in bill shape, size, and precise shade of the dark grey vs. black pigment.
Interesting Facts
Common Murres can dive to depths of over 180 meters (nearly 600 feet) in search of fish. Their eggs are famously pear-shaped (pyriform), which prevents them from rolling off narrow cliff ledges.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact with minimal fraying, showing standard wear for a body contour feather.