Common Guillemot

This seabird, characterized by its black-and-white appearance, features distinct patterning with a dark brownish-black top and a white underside. During breeding season, it displays a fully dark head, while nonbreeding showcases a white face with a curved dark line below the eye. Messy dark streaks are common on its sides, along with a long, slender bill that distinguishes it from the Thick-billed Murre, albeit challenging to discern at a distance. Look for browner plumage and streaky sides to identify the Common Murre. Found in colonies on rocky islands and cliffs for breeding, this species spends the remainder of the year at sea. They are typically solitary or in small, loose groups, occasionally associating with Razorbills in the Atlantic.