Common Murre

Also known as Guillemot, Uria aalge, Common Guillemot

species of bird, auk

AI overview

The Common Murre is a small diving seabird belonging to the auk family, found in northern ocean waters where it hunts for fish by diving beneath the surface. These birds are important indicators of ocean health and fish populations, making them valuable subjects for scientists studying marine ecosystems and climate change impacts on wildlife.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

Least Concern

(southern and northern) guillemot

Species

PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyAlcidae

Habitatmarine

Observations22,676

via IUCN

Wikidata facts

Mass: 108
Image: Uria aalge MHNT Rouzic.jpg

Show 6 more facts

taxon name: Uria aalge
Commons category: Uria aalge
Commons gallery: Uria aalge
wingspan: 0.707
taxon common name: airo-comum
short name: U. aalge

Sources (10)

via Wikidata · CC0

~19 min read

Article

The common murre or common guillemot (Uria aalge) is a large auk, one of several species called murre or guillemot. It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in low-Arctic and boreal waters in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. It spends most of its time at sea, only coming to land to breed on rocky cliff shores or islands.

Common murres are fast in direct flight but are not very agile. They are highly mobile underwater using their wings to 'fly' through the water column, where they typically dive to depths of 30–60 m (100–195 ft). Depths of up to 180 m (590 ft) have been recorded.