Thick-billed Murre
Also known as: Common Guillemot, Thin-billed 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".
Images
Credit: Mike Baird