Scientific name: Alca torda Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Auks
Field characters. 38 cm. Razorbills are black and white, never brown like Guillemots. Slightly smaller than Guillemot, from which it can be distinguished by different bill and longer pointed tail. Bill high and laterally compressed and with white lines in the middle. Another white line runs from the upper mandible to the eye. Tips of the secondaries white, as Guillemot, forming a white trailing edge. Flanks white, unbarred. In winter plumage head becomes whiter, with the white going up behind eye. Juveniles separable by smaller bill and lack of white lines on it. In flight hard to tell apart from Guillemot. Has white underwings, unlike Atlantic Puffin. Swimming Razorbills often raise their tails, so that the point can be seen clearly. Flight low and fast, like Guillemot.
Voice. Only at colonies: a growling 'gaarrrrr' and similar calls.
Distribution. Rather common in the north-west of the range, but never as numerous as Guillemot.
Habitat. Coastal. In winter at sea.
Food. Predominantly fish.