National Marine Conservation Areas of Canada

Canada’s National Marine Conservation Areas System Plan

Razorbill (Alca torda)

Great divers, razorbills have been caught in fishermen's nets 20 m below the surface. They nest on narrow open cliff ledges in colonies, often with murres, and are at sea the remainder of the year. About two weeks after hatching, young razorbills leap from their cliff ledges into the sea where they are protected by their parents from predatory gulls until they can fly, some two weeks later.