Spanning the icy waters from Norway to Canada, the Common Guillemot is a true conqueror of the sub-Arctic world. Whether you call them “Guillemots” or “Common Murres”, their large global population highlights their incredible evolutionary success in harsh environments. Let’s learn more about one of Northern Hemisphere’s most prolific seabirds.

Common Guillemot At a Glance

Scientific Name Uria aalge
Population Estimated at 18 million globally
Regions Temperate and sub-Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and parts of the Arctic Ocean
Destinations Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland
Average Length Adult: Males & Females: ~41 cm (16 in) ; Newborn: ~6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in) at hatching
Average Weight Adult: ~900–1100 g (2.0–2.4 lbs); Newborn:~60–90 g (2.1–3.2 oz)
Diet Habits Primarily small fish such as capelin, sand lance, sprat, and herring, but also consumes crustaceans and marine worms
Black Guillemot in the Arctic waters.
Northern Gannet and guillemots together on a coastal cliff.
A bazaar of common guillemots.
Black guillemot flying around Lower Savage Islands.

Did You Know

A Common Murre baby leaps off the cliff shortly after hatching—long before it can fly. This is part of their survival strategy. It’s easier for the dad to feed them at sea.

Field Notes: Behavior & Biology

Where does the bird live?
The Common Murre’s environment is the temperate and colder regions of the northern hemisphere, with large populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and adjacent areas of the Arctic Ocean. In the northeast Atlantic, its range extends from Portugal in the south to Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya in the north and includes the Baltic. Bjørnøya is the most significant breeding area for the Common Guillemot in Svalbard and the entire Barents Sea.
What does the common murre look like?

Common Murres characteristics for males and females are very similar. They have identical external appearances, with adult birds measuring 41 cm in length and weighing between 900 and 1100g. Their upper parts are brown-black, while their under parts are white. In breeding plumage, the entire head is dark, and the white breast forms a sharp peak towards the dark throat.

Some individuals, referred to as the ”bridled” morph, exhibit a white ring around the eye and a white stripe extending backwards from the eye towards the neck. The occurrence of the bridled morph increases from nearly 0% at the southernmost part of the species’ range to over 50% in the northern region of Svalbard.

Common Murre winter plumage features a white face and throat, replacing the dark head they wear in summer.

What distinguishes the common guillemot from a Brünnich guillemot?
The Common Guillemot differs from the Brünnich’s Guillemot by having a longer, more pointed bill without the white stripe at the base of the upper mandible, as well as dark mottled markings along the flanks. In winter, its neck and sides of the head are white, featuring a dark stripe that extends from the eye across the ear-coverts. Juveniles closely resemble adult winter plumage but have shorter bills.
What do common guillemots eat?
As piscivorous (fish-eating) and foraging seabirds, Common Guillemots primarily feed on small fish such as capelin, sand lance, sprat, and herring. They also eat marine invertebrates like crustaceans and marine worms, especially when fish are less available.
How long do they live?
The Common Murre has a lifespan of about 20 years in the wild. This is on the low range for seabirds, but longer than land birds. For example, the albatross can live to 50 years.
What do their eggs look like?
A Common Murre egg is pear-shaped and has many different color variations, including white, brown, pale blue, and shades from light to dark green. The pear shape is based on their environment as the nests are often on narrow, steep rock ledges. The shape may help stabilize the egg. In addition, the pointed tip, helps keep air pores above the dirty ledge which contains droppings.
Do Common Guillemots have any predators?
Common Murre predators include gulls and arctic foxes, particularly during the nesting season.
Why is the bird also called a "murre"?
Most likely this originated from the call the guillemot makes. The bird makes a low-pitch growl.

Challenge: Are you a Common Guillemot Guru?

1. What is the alternative name for the Common Guillemot?
2. How does the "bridled" morph of the Common Guillemot differ in appearance?
3. Which feature helps distinguish a Common Guillemot from a Brünnich’s Guillemot?
4. What is unique about the shape of the Common Guillemot's egg?
5. How do Common Guillemot chicks typically leave their cliff-side nests?
6. What is the estimated global population of the Common Guillemot?

What do you call a common  guillemot?

English Common Guillemot / Common Murre
Danish Lomvie
Chinese 普通海鸦
Swedish Sillgrissla
Finnish Etelänkiisla
Norwegian Lomvi
Polish Nurnik zwyczajny
Japanese ウミガラス (Umigarasu)
Spanish  Arao común
French Guillemot de Troïl

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