Common Murre

Uria aalge

Audubon Illustration

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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About the Common Murre

The common murre or common guillemot (Uria aalge) is a large auk, one of several species called murre or guillemot. It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in low-Arctic and boreal waters in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. It spends most of its time at sea, only coming to land to breed on rocky cliff shores or islands. Common murres are fast in direct flight but are not very agile. They are highly mobile underwater using their wings to 'fly' through the water column, where they typically dive to depths of 30–60 m (100–195 ft). Depths of up to 180 m (590 ft) have been recorded. Common murres breed in colonies at high densities. Nesting pairs may be in bodily contact with their neighbours.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Uria aalge
Family: Auks, Murres, and Puffins
Order: Charadriiformes

Similar species

Other members of the auks, murres, and puffins family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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