Common murre

The common murre, also known as the common guillemot or thin-billed murre in North America, is a large seabird inhabiting the low-Arctic and boreal waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. These birds spend the majority of their lives at sea, only coming ashore to breed on rocky cliffs or islands.

Murres are exceptional divers, capable of reaching depths of 30-60 meters, and sometimes even as deep as 180 meters. They breed in densely packed colonies, laying a single egg directly on bare rock ledges without constructing a nest. After an incubation period of about 30 days, the chick hatches. Approximately 20 days later, it makes a dramatic leap off the ledge into the sea, where it immediately begins diving and swimming.

Both male and female murres lose their ability to fly for one to two months following the breeding season. Taxonomically, they belong to the genus Uria and are related to other auks like the razorbill and the little auk. They are easily recognizable by their black and white plumage and pointed bills. As pursuit-divers, common murres hunt for small fish and other marine organisms underwater.

Despite their large population, estimated at about 7.3 million breeding pairs, common murres face several threats. Oil spills, pollution, and hunting are significant risks, as are disturbances from recreational activities such as rock climbing and birdwatching. Notably, there have been significant die-offs in some areas, underscoring the need for conservation efforts.

In certain regions, common murres and their eggs have been harvested for food. The birds are known for their dark, oily meat, resulting from their fish-heavy diet. Their unique behaviors, particularly in courtship, nesting, chick rearing, and communication, make them fascinating subjects for researchers and conservationists alike.