The common murre (Uria aalge), also known as the common guillemot, is a remarkable species of seabird found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. They spend most of their time on the open ocean and only come to land to breed.
The black and white plumage makes them easy to spot on rocky cliffs or at sea. They are excellent swimmers and divers with streamlined bodies and powerful wings.
Read on to learn more about this beloved and iconic species of the world’s oceans.
Appearance
The murres are typically black-and-white seabirds. They have dark back and wings, white belly and throat, and a thin, pointed black bill. In some birds, a white stripe may extend up the neck from the breast. During the breeding season, adult murres also develop a distinctive white ring around the eyes, known as the “bridle,” which fades during the non-breeding season.
The Murres have a long, pointed beak which they use to catch small fish and crustaceans. The beak is lined with sharp edges, allowing it to grip slippery prey. Moreover, their wings are short and rounded, which helps them maneuver effectively underwater.
Habitat
Washington has a significant common murre population, with important breeding colonies along its outer coast. Murre birds are primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere, along the coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Their striking black and white plumage makes them easy to identify, even for novice birdwatchers, offering quick ID help.
They are adapted to live at sea and spend most of their time in the open ocean, where they feed on small fish and crustaceans. During the breeding season, murres come to land to nest and raise their chicks. Nesting usually occurs along the Pacific coast (from California to Alaska and British Columbia).
Murres typically breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs, islands, and rocky outcroppings. They prefer sites inaccessible to predators, such as cliffs or offshore islands. These breeding colonies can be dense since thousands of birds often nest in a single location.
After the breeding season, murres disperse into the open ocean again, where they spend most of their time foraging for food. They can travel vast distances and follow the schools of fish or other prey as they move through the ocean.
The rugged coastline of northern British Columbia provides an ideal nesting habitat for common murres. However, those breeding in southern British Columbia often face different challenges than those nesting further north, such as increased human disturbance. The southern limit of the common murre’s breeding range extends to southern California, where they face pressures from habitat loss and pollution.
Diet
Murre birds are opportunistic feeders, and their diet varies depending on prey availability. They primarily feed on sand eels, capelin, krill, squid, and other small crustaceans. Murre birds are well adapted to diving and can dive to depths of up to 600 feet to catch their prey.
They have a wide variety of fish in their diet, allowing them to adapt to changes in prey availability. Sand lances are a crucial part of the common murre’s diet, and changes in sand lance populations can significantly impact murre numbers.
Common Murres have a unique structure called a “tubular pupil” in the eyes, which helps them focus on objects in the air and underwater. So this is the adaptation that allows them to spot prey accurately from above the surface and adjust their dive accordingly.
During the breeding season, murres may supplement their diet with small invertebrates, such as marine worms or insects. They also regurgitate partially digested food to feed their chicks.
Reproduction
Murre birds are monogamous and typically mate for life. They gather in large colonies on rocky cliffs and ledges during breeding. Interestingly, incubation periods for common murre eggs can vary slightly depending on factors like location and environmental conditions.
Males perform elaborate courtship displays involving bowing, bill-touching, and vocalizations to attract a mate. Once a pair has formed, they will lay a single, huge egg, which they take turns incubating for around 35 days.
Nest sits are typically found on a narrow cliff ledge – an unusual site for raising chicks. The birds build simple nests from pebbles, grass, and other materials, laying their eggs on the bare rock. Sea stacks and isolated rock formations rising from the sea, provide important nesting habitats for common murres, offering protection from predators.
Common murre eggs have an unusual pattern and different colors, unique for each egg that allows the parents to recognize and look after their egg. After hatching, the parents feed the chick for approximately 3-4 weeks. Both parent murres play an active role in raising their chick, from incubating the egg to feeding and protecting their offspring.
Large bays often provide important foraging habitat for common murres, during the breeding season when they need to find food for their chicks. Common murres engage in nesting alongside other seabird species, such as Atlantic puffins, creating vibrant multi-species colonies.
Threats
Murre birds face several threats caused by natural and human activities. One of the biggest threats they face is climate change, which is affecting the availability of their primary food sources. Warmer ocean temperatures are causing fish populations to move to different areas, making it harder for them to find food.
Murre birds are also threatened by pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing, which can reduce prey availability. In addition, they are sometimes preyed upon by larger birds, such as gulls and eagles. Moreover, oil spills and other environmental disasters often affect these birds. Gill netting is another significant threat to common murres, as they can become entangled in the nets and drown.
Bird conservation efforts for common murres often focus on minimizing threats such as oil spills and entanglement in gill nets. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has conducted extensive research on common murre populations, contributing valuable data to their conservation.]
Many bird conservation organizations accept tax-deductible donations, making it easy for people to support their work.
Facts About Common Murre
- These birds have a unique way of parenting – they lay their eggs on narrow ledges or cliff faces, and the chicks jump off the cliff when they are only a few weeks old, relying on their fathers to catch them in mid-air and guide them to the water below.
- Common Murres have a special gland above their eyes that helps them excrete excess salt from their bodies, allowing them to drink seawater without becoming dehydrated.
- These birds have a distinctive call that sounds like a low, guttural growl, which is used to communicate with other members of their colony.
- Common Murres have been known to live in the same colony for many years, returning to the same nesting site each breeding season.
- Common Murres also eat squid and other small marine creatures.
- These birds fly at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, making them one of the fastest-flying seabirds in the world.
- With a typical lifespan of 20-26 years, the oldest Common Mure ever was almost 35 years old and was found near Labrador, Canada.
FAQs
Is a murre bird an auk?
A murre bird is an auk since they belong to the family Alcidae, a group of seabirds that include other species of auks like puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. All auks have similar physical characteristics, such as streamlined bodies and webbed feet for swimming. They are also known for their distinctive black-and-white coloration and the ability to fly underwater using their wings to “fly” through the water.
Are murre birds edible?
Murre birds are not commonly hunted or consumed by humans, as they are primarily marine birds that spend most of their lives at sea. However, in some cultures, particularly in Alaska and other parts of the Arctic, they’re traditionally hunted for their meat, eggs, and feathers. The eggs are considered a delicacy and are often pickled or preserved in other ways. However, it is essential to note that local laws and regulations regulate hunting and consuming wild birds.
How do common murres communicate with each other?
Common murres use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other, including calls and songs that are specific to different situations such as mating, feeding, and warning of danger. They also use body language, such as head bobbing and wing flapping, to convey messages to other birds.
How are common murres adapted for diving?
Common murres exhibit remarkable adaptations for their diving lifestyle. Their dense bones reduce buoyancy, making it easier to descend and remain underwater. Their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies minimize drag, enabling them to glide effortlessly through the water. Additionally, their ability to hold their breath for extended periods allows for prolonged underwater foraging.
What is the conservation status of Murre birds?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the murre bird as a species of “least concern.” So, it’s not currently at risk of extinction. However, populations of common murres have experienced significant declines in some areas due to various factors, including overfishing and oil spills. In other words, despite the status, we should still take care to preserve their population.
