Razorbill
| Irish Name: | Crosán |
| Scientific name: | Alca torda |
| Bird Family: | Auks |
red
Conservation status
Conservation status
Status
Resident, though occur inshore/ land during the breeding season, March/April to August/September
Identification
A species of Auk, highly marine and only found on land in the breeding season. A black and white seabird, black above and white below, with a distinct breeding plumage. Head and neck all black in the breeding season with white on the front of the neck and face in the winter. Bill heavy, except in first winter birds. At a distance can be confused with Guillemot. Razorbill slightly smaller with blackish rather than brownish upperparts, more white on the side of the body and the bill distinctly heavier and blunter on adult birds. White 'armpit' compared to the darker 'armpit' of the Guillemot. Seen flying in lines close to the sea with Guillemots.
Voice
Similar to Guillemot but tone is harder.
Diet
Mainly small fish, some invertebrates, caught by surface diving.
Breeding
Nests on sea cliffs. Similar in habits to Guillemot with which it will breed in mixed colonies. Returns to colonies in March and April and departs by August. Will also use more secluded nest sites, fissures in the cliffs and also in screes, where it is more difficult to see, except when birds stand outside of their nest sites.
Wintering
Winters at sea.
Monitored by
Breeding seabirds are monitored through seabird surveys carried out every 15-20 years.
With over 3000 birds, Great Saltee island, off County Wexford, is the most accessible of the islands on which to view this species. However, the species can be seen from the mainland. The Cliffs of Moher, with over 7000 birds, in County Clare are well know. Horn Head, with over 6000 Razorbills, in County Donegal is another spectacular place to view Auks. Can also be seen on Ireland’s Eye and Howth Head in County Dublin.
Residing on the sea for the duration of Winter. Comes ashore only to breed.
Blog posts about this bird
Should I stay or should I go: how long does it take chicks to leave the cliff?
[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" row_position_desktop="default" row_position_tablet="inherit" row_position_phone="inherit" overflow="visible" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" flex_gap_desktop="10px" column_element_direction_desktop="default" column_element_spacing="default" desktop_text_alignment="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_backdrop_filter="none" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" column_position="default" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" animation_type="default" bg_image_animation="none" border_type="simple" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text css="" text_direction="default"]Dr. Samuel Preston, one of BirdWatch Ireland's 2026 East Coast Seabird Survey team members, writes an update about the seabird breeding season update. 2026 is the third consecutive year in which we have been able comprehensively to census and monitor the cliff-nesting seabirds at six important colonies on the east coast, thanks to funding from the Phase One windfarms in the Irish Sea. All photos are taken under NPWS licensing.
For birds that need to fly to leave the cliffs, naturally it takes a little longer to get started with adult life. Kittiwake chicks take 35-40 days to get going, cormorants and shag take around 50 days to fledge, while fulmar take 70-75 days to go from hatching to flying. Gannets, however, win the prize for longest nestling period on our cliffs: 90-95 days to fledge!
Both short and long fledging times pose challenges. Auks have to pack a lot of growing into a short period and they can't afford to delay. When everyone leaves the cliffs all at once, so does the protection of the group. Stragglers who are left behind are the most vulnerable. Longer fledging times mean more time exposed to predators, the elements, and the stresses of group living - competition, aggression from neighbours, the risk of disease and parasites. On top of that, you need to master the skill of flying. For some birds, that means practising with short flights and hops. Gannets, however, have to get it right the first time they leap from the cliff. With so little room for error, it's no wonder they spend the most time preparing.
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Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Guillemots and razorbills are leaving the cliffs in droves, but kittiwakes, cormorants and shag, fulmar, and gannets are still brooding chicks on the rocks. Why are some birds so slow to leave their breeding sites? Actually, the real question is, "how are guillemots and razorbill chicks ready to leave so early?". From as young as 15 days after hatching these chicks can be ready to make their way to the sea (though some will hang around for 3 weeks before they do). They achieve this remarkable speed by abandoning the cliffs before the can even fly. Waiting for flight feathers to grow takes time and would mean more time exposed on land to danger. There's nowhere to run from predators on a cliff, and auk chicks are not exactly nimble on their feet. They are, however, already well-equipped for swimming. Once guillemot and razorbill chicks are big enough, they take the plunge into the water below and master the aquatic environment before even thinking about the air.
For birds that need to fly to leave the cliffs, naturally it takes a little longer to get started with adult life. Kittiwake chicks take 35-40 days to get going, cormorants and shag take around 50 days to fledge, while fulmar take 70-75 days to go from hatching to flying. Gannets, however, win the prize for longest nestling period on our cliffs: 90-95 days to fledge!
Both short and long fledging times pose challenges. Auks have to pack a lot of growing into a short period and they can't afford to delay. When everyone leaves the cliffs all at once, so does the protection of the group. Stragglers who are left behind are the most vulnerable. Longer fledging times mean more time exposed to predators, the elements, and the stresses of group living - competition, aggression from neighbours, the risk of disease and parasites. On top of that, you need to master the skill of flying. For some birds, that means practising with short flights and hops. Gannets, however, have to get it right the first time they leap from the cliff. With so little room for error, it's no wonder they spend the most time preparing.
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How you can take meaningful action this World Ocean Day
Saturday, June 8th marks World Ocean Day.
As an island nation, we have a strong physical and cultural connection to the sea. Indeed, the Fair Seas Ocean Literary Survey revealed that 99% of people feel marine protection is important to them, with 60% experiencing awe or wonder when they think about the marine environment. While this survey was the first of its kind in Ireland, the maritime traditions, art and literature of our ancestors would indicate that they felt much the same about our oceans.
However, today’s widespread interest and awe in the marine environment has an undercurrent of concern. We know from research that our marine environment and the life that depends on it is in trouble owing to pressures including climate change, pollution and overfishing. Oceana’s 2022 ‘On the Brink’ report highlighted the detrimental effect that overfishing has had on fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic. Species like anchovy, eel, herring, horse mackerel, Norway lobster, sardine, and whiting, among others, have one or more stocks that are known or considered to be depleted. The most extreme case is that of cod, with nine depleted stocks – the highest number across the whole region.
For seabirds, healthy oceans provide a consistent food supply. When oceans are degraded and fish stocks depleted, it can have detrimental effects on seabird populations, adding to the many other pressures that these species are already facing. Of the 24 breeding seabirds in Ireland, 23 are Red- or Amber-listed Birds of Conservation Concern. Kittiwake, Puffin and Razorbill have joined the Red list having previously been Amber-listed, while the Kittiwake and Puffin are now classed as globally vulnerable.
We have cause for concern for other species, too. A recent report from Fair Seas and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) highlighted the lower than expected numbers of Harbour Porpoise found in two Areas of Interest (the Southwest Coast and Loop Head to Kenmare River) surveyed, including in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for Harbour Porpoise. This decline is consistent with the findings of other recent surveys in three other SACs with this species as a qualifying factor.
However, all is not lost for, where there is curiosity and passion, there is hope. The theme of World Ocean Day in 2024 is "Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean and Climate". There is one fast but meaningful way you can take action to benefit the marine environment this World Ocean Day: Call on your Ministers to publish the MPA Bill.
There are many threats facing our oceans and, at present, government inaction is high on the list.
We know that many of the challenges facing the marine environment could be reduced with proper marine protection. However, it’s been nearly a year since the government promised to publish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) bill and, with just a handful of days left before the Dáil summer recess, this vital legislation still hasn't been introduced.
With less than one year left before the current government ends, the bill must be published urgently and moved effectively through the different stages of the Oireachtas in time if it is to have a chance of being passed at all.
Only One and Fair Seas are encouraging petition signers and Irish citizens to keep up the pressure and send letters to Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Malcolm Noonan directly, using our email tool, to urge for the swift publication of the MPA legislation. It only takes two clicks and several seconds to have your say. You can access this tool here: Write to Your Ministers: No Time to Waste to Protect Ireland’s Seas (only.one).
