Razorbill vs Spectacled Guillemot

Alca torda compared with Cepphus carbo

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Razorbill Spectacled Guillemot
Scientific Name Alca torda Cepphus carbo
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Alcidae Alcidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.9 cm (16.5 in) 38.4 cm (15.1 in)
Weight 646.6666666666666 g (22.81 oz) 480.0 g (16.93 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Razorbill only

None

Spectacled Guillemot only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Razorbill

Least Concern

Spectacled Guillemot

About These Birds

Razorbill

Razorbill, 37–39 cm, is an Atlantic alcid with a deep, laterally compressed bill crossed by a white vertical bar. Breeds on Atlantic cliff colonies from Maine to Greenland and Iceland to Norway; winters at sea. Dives to over 100 m pursuing fish. Strongly monogamous; pairs reunite annually at colonies.

Spectacled Guillemot

Spectacled Guillemot, 36–38 cm, breeds on rocky coasts and sea cliffs of the western North Pacific from Kamchatka to Japan. Sooty black with white spectacle patches around the eye; red feet. Coastal diver; feeds on fish and crustaceans near rocky reefs. Sedentary; stays close to breeding coast year-round.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family