Common Murre

45 cm (19") Common off Atlantic coast, abundant off Pacific coast. Open oceans, inshore waters. Nests in large colonies on rocky cliffs, winters at sea. Crow-sized seabird with dark brown head, neck and upperparts; white underparts. Thin, pointed, all-black bill.

Winter: similar to summer but throat and cheeks white with a thin dark stripe extending behind eye down cheek.

Similar Thick-billed Murre has thicker, shorter bill with a white line at base.

Song: "murrr".

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Credit: Mike Baird