The Razorbilled Bird; Alca Torda Torda and Alca Torda Islandica, Facts and Pictures

The Razorbill is a seabird of medium size, with both black and white plumage and quite distinct white stripes which run from the eyes to the beak. When swimming on the sea, the Razorbill is known to swim like a duck; with tail cocked upwards enabling them to tip forwards and "dip" for food.

There are two sub-species of the Razorbill; the Alca Torda Islandica and the Alca Torda Torda. The Alca Torda Islandica can be found in North Western France and in the many coastal areas of the British Isles. The Alca Torda Torda can be found off the White and Baltic seas, Northeastern America, Greenland and Norway.

The only notable differences between the two sub-species is a slight difference in wing and bill length. The Islandica species being the smallest.

Razorbills come into the coast during the spring to form breeding colonies. The selection regarding breeding partners is made by the female, she definitely wears the pants so to speak.. Nevertheless, she can be quite the temptress and will often flirt with a number of admiring males before making the ultimate decision. However, once she has made her decision, the birds will stay together for life.

During courtship rituals, the birds will affectionately touch bills and also follow one another in flight. In order to maintain the strength of their bond, Razorbills are known to engage in courtship rituals on many occasions during the breeding season. There's nothing like keeping the romance alive!

Despite the birds lifelong attachment, however, the relationship is not completely monogamous. During the breeding season the female will often mate with other males to ensure successful fertilisation.

The Razorbill does not make a nest in the conventional sense because they lay their eggs in crevices within the rocks or on ledges.

Hiding their eggs in rock crevices enables the bird to protect the yet to hatch infants from predators. The birds will, however, layer the rock space with mud and seaweed.

Breeding season is from May to July and the birds will breed in caves, and quite precariously on the edge of rocks.

Although it is near impossible to distinguish between the male and female species by plumage alone, the female is slightly smaller.

Interestingly, the white stripe which runs from the eyes and down to the bill, becomes much more prominent during the breeding season.

The breeding season is relentless for would be parents. In fact, the birds will mate up to a total of 80 times during 30 days. The male of the species will fiercely protect the female from other males by pushing them away with his bill.

The females will only lay one egg per year, which is conical in shape, and prevents the egg from rolling off the ledges of the rocks.

Incubation of the egg occurs within two days of laying and will be incubated equally by both the male and the female. The chick will hatch roughly thirty days after incubation.

Either one of the parents will remain with the chick at all times whilst the other goes to collect food.

Between day eighteen and twenty four, the male parent will accompany the young Razorbill out to sea.