Razorbill Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Although Razorbills have a similar appearance to the Penguin, they are not related. However, Razorbills are related to Guillemots and Puffins. Razorbills can often be spotted around UK coasts especially around northern Scotland. There are no sightings south of the Humber and they only come ashore to breed and winter in the northern Atlantic.
In this article we’ll be looking at the dietary habits, breeding habits as well as the size and weight of these fascinating seabirds. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
The Dietary Habits Of The Razorbill
Razorbills are piscivorous which means their diet mainly consists of fish. They are skilled divers and can dive up to around 120 metres (393 feet) to catch their prey.
They typically hunt in open waters and dive from the surface using their wings to swim underwater.
What Does A Razorbill Eat?
Their main source of food is small fish like sand eels, sprats, capelin and herring. They will also supplement their diet with small crustaceans, squid and other small invertebrates when fish are in short supply.
What To Feed A Baby Razorbill?
Razorbill chicks are fed small partially digested fish which the parents catch and bring back to the nest frequently throughout the day. The chicks are fed regularly throughout the day during the first few weeks of their lives.
This protein rich diet ensures that the chicks grow quickly and develop the strength necessary for their first flight.
Breeding Habits Of Razorbills
Razorbills have interesting breeding habits which start with courtship rituals like aerial displays put on by the male to show off their flying skills. The pair will also tap their bills while facing each other.
Another part of the courtship ritual involves mutual preening where they clean each other’s feathers paying close attention to the areas around the head and neck. The male will also give the female small gifts of fish as part of their courtship ritual.
Once their single egg is laid, both parents are responsible for incubation, feeding and caring for the young chick. The chick will remain with at least one parent even after leaving the nest until they eventually move off to richer feeding grounds further out to sea.
Do Razorbills Mate For Life?
Razorbills are generally monogamous and form long-term pair bonds which can last for several seasons. Pairs will typically return to the same nesting site each year.
Having said that, in some cases, females will mate with other males after the pair have copulated to be sure her egg is fertilised. If the pair have successfully bred before, they will usually reunite at the same breeding site each year. They often engage in the same courtship rituals to reaffirm their bond.
The Size & Weight Of Razorbills
Male and female Razorbills are very similar in size and weight with males being slightly larger than females.
How Much Does A Razorbill Weigh?
When it comes to the weight of Razorbills, again it’s the male that is the largest. However, the differences are minimal. An average adult Razorbill weighs somewhere between 590 to 730 grams with males weighing around 5% more than females.
How Big Is A Razorbill?
The average length of an adult Razorbill is around 37 to 39 cm with a wingspan of around 63 to 67 cm. Which is roughly the same length as a Tawny Owl however, Tawny Owls have far larger wingspans.
Are Razorbills Under Threat?
Razorbills are Amber listed in the UK and classified as near threatened on the IUCN List of Threatened Species (global) as well as a bird of least concern on the Species of European Conservation Concern.
Like all species, they face potential threats due to habitat loss through coastal development, pollution (oil spills is a major concern) and human activities, climate change, overfishing is also a problem particularly of species like sand eels and herring which make up a large part of their diet. Plus razorbills often get caught in fishing nets which can lead to accidental drowning.
What Eats A Razorbill?
Razorbills are also under threat from natural predators including; Large gulls like Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls as well as Skuas. These can all steal eggs and chicks as well as vulnerable adults that are on the nest.
Other predators include; polar bears, foxes, rats and cats which regularly raid nesting sites and take eggs and chicks as well as vulnerable adults. Whilst out at sea, razorbills can be preyed on by large predatory fish as well as marine mammals like seals.
Where Can I See Razorbills In The UK?
Razorbills can be spotted at a number of coastal locations around the UK especially during the breeding season which runs from March to July. They are typically found nesting on cliff edges along with other seabirds like Puffins, Guillemots and Kittiwakes.
Some of the best places to spot Razorbills include;
Scotland
- RSPB Troup Head (Aberdeenshire)
- The Isle of May (Firth of Forth)
Northumberland
- The Farne Islands
East Yorkshire
- RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Wales
- Skomer Island (Pembrokeshire)
- RSPB South Stack (Anglesey)
Devon
- Lundy Island (Bristol Channel)
Northern Ireland
- Rathlin Island
Your best chance of spotting Razorbills is in one of the above locations during the breeding season when these seabirds come ashore to breed.
SEE ALSO: Manx Shearwater Vs Guillemot: Key Differences Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Razorbills can be seen off the UK coasts for much of the year. However, they only come ashore during the breeding season which typically runs from March to July.
An average adult Razorbill is around 37 to 39 cm in length with a wingspan of around 63 to 67 cm.
Razorbills are mainly piscivorous and their diet consists mainly of fish. Particularly sand eels, sprats, capelin and herrings. However, they will supplement their diets with small crustaceans, squid and other small invertebrates when fish are in short supply.
