Common Murre Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCommon Murre
Breeding adult
Large black-and-white seabird with a long, thin bill. Breeding birds have an entirely black head.
© Alix d'Entremont / Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, August 01, 2020Nonbreeding adult/immature
In water, looks rather ducklike with a long and slender body and bill. Nonbreeding birds have a white throat, chin, and cheek that wraps up behind the eye.
© Phil Green / Macaulay LibraryWashington, September 06, 2019Breeding
Nests in colonies on steep, cliff ledges, slopes, and rocky outcrops. Constantly makes guttural calls at the colony.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, June 03, 1997Not all videos have sound
Breeding adult
Stands upright like a penguin. "Bridled" form in the Atlantic region has a white eyering that extends across the side of its face.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, May 30, 2010Breeding adult
At sea often congregates in large rafts. Long-necked seabird with a long, thin bill. In good light appears dark brown and white.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 18, 2012Breeding adult
Large, black-and-white penguinlike seabird. Breeds in dense colonies on island cliff ledges, slopes, and rocky outcrops.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, May 30, 2010Similar SpeciesThick-billed Murre
Breeding
Thick-billed Murres have a shorter and thicker bill than Common Murres. They also have a white line on the gape that Common Murres lack.
© Sonja Ross / Macaulay LibraryChukotka Autonomous Okrug, August 18, 2015Similar SpeciesThick-billed Murre
Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding Thick-billed Murres have a darker face and lack streaked flanks unlike nonbreeding Common Murres, which have a whiter face and streaked flanks.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 16, 2011Similar SpeciesMarbled Murrelet
Breeding
Marbled Murrelets are smaller with a shorter bill than Common Murres. Breeding birds are brown overall while Common Murres are black and white.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 18, 2012Similar SpeciesMarbled Murrelet
Nonbreeding
Marbled Murrelets are smaller and more compact than Common Murres. Nonbreeding birds have white wing patches and a white collar that Common Murres do not have.
© Ryan Shaw / Macaulay LibraryWashington, September 17, 2017Similar SpeciesRazorbill
Breeding
Razorbills have a deeper and blunter bill than the Common Murre's thin and pointed bill.
© Christoph Moning / Macaulay LibraryFinnmark, April 08, 2011Similar SpeciesRazorbill
Nonbreeding
Razorbills look similar from a distance, but they are more robust and have a deeper and blunter bill than Common Murres. Razorbills also have a longer tail, which they often hold up (not visible in this photo).
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, December 16, 2011Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Auks, Murres, and Puffins(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Alcidae)
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