Quick Take
- Maintaining a 27-inch wingspan is a non-negotiable requirement for achieving successful high-speed underwater hunting.
- The Alcidae genetic lineage creates significant identification errors when researchers mislabel these birds in the field.
- The breeding season forces a dangerous relocation to rocky islands to secure the single egg.
Some beautiful animals look as if they were designed by humans. Birds are gorgeous creatures, coming in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. One example is the razorbill, which is famous for its striking and sharp features. This Instagram post by @explainingnature shows a video of these birds. Read here to learn more about these birds and why they evolved to be this beautiful.
Razorbills get their name from their razor-sharp bills.
©iStock.com/CreativeNature_nl
About the Razorbill
The original post incorrectly identifies the bird as a crested auklet. Although both species are loosely related within the Alcidae family, they have distinct physical features. The razorbill is what we are interested in, thanks to its sharp looks. Razorbills span across the North Atlantic Ocean, breeding in countries like Greenland, Iceland, Eastern Canada, the British Isles, and as far south as Maine in the United States.
They winter farther south along the Atlantic coast. They spend most of their life at sea, only coming onto land for the breeding season. During this season, they nest in colonies on the cliffs of rocky islands, where both parents care for a single egg. After hatching, the chicks return to the sea, where they feed on small fish. One of their most amazing features is their sharp appearance, which is almost like a modern fashion design.
Razorbills spend most of their life at sea.
©Giedriius/Shutterstock.com
Striking Appearance
The name ‘razorbill’ is an understatement for their extremely defined features. The birds are dual-toned black and white, with a bright white underbelly and jet black feathers on their backs. The sharp contrast between the colors creates a distinct division along their bodies. One of their most defining features is their bill. Razorbills have a dramatic, laterally flattened beak with a sharp white line running through it. The flat shape makes it look like a knife, and the white line gives a high-fashion appearance. The bill complements their angular head shape, creating a clearly defined structure. So how did they get these amazing features?
Razorbills are part of the auk family, or Alcidae. This family consists of diving seabirds that hunt for their food in the open ocean. Because of this, a sharp beak is essential for several reasons. First, it helps razorbills break the water more easily, allowing them to catch fish quickly.
Their beaks are strong as well and can grip onto slippery fish. So, while some birds are flashy and colorful to attract mates, razorbills seem to prioritize function over appearance. Razorbills are also compact. They typically weigh between one and two pounds and have a wingspan of about 25 to 27 inches. Their short wings enable them to torpedo underwater to quickly catch fish. These birds are not only beautiful to look at, but also incredibly adept at surviving in their ocean environments.
