UK Wildlife

Razorbill Cliff Nester and Diving Expert

The razorbill is a stocky, blunt-billed auk that nests in crevices and boulder slopes at seabird colonies, using its compressed bill to hold multiple fish for its single chick.

Key Facts

Razorbill can hold multiple fish crosswise in its bill - up to 20 at once
UK breeding population around 150,000 pairs, in crevices at seabird colonies
Distinguished from guillemot by blunter, deeper bill with white line
Winters at sea, often close inshore during storms
Nests in rock crevices and under boulders rather than on open ledges

Welfare Considerations

Razorbills face similar threats to guillemots from oil pollution and sandeel declines. Their crevice-nesting habit provides some protection from avian flu compared to densely packed guillemot ledges. Plastic ingestion in the marine environment is an emerging concern.

What You Can Do

Support marine conservation and clean-up campaigns to reduce plastic ingestion by seabirds
Advocate for sustainable fisheries management to maintain sandeel and sprat stocks
Visit seabird cliff colonies to appreciate razorbills and support reserve management