Razorbill Vs Puffin: Key Differences Explained

Razorbills and Puffins are both seabirds and both members of the Auk family (Alcidae). They both have similar colours being black and white and can both be found in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Having said that, even though there are a number of similarities between these two seabirds, there are enough differences to make differentiating between them possible even at a distance. To find out more, keep reading.

Key Takeaways

• Razorbills are larger than Puffins
• Puffins have bright bills which are yellow, orange and blue whereas Razorbills have black bills with white lines across them
• The face of the Razorbill is all black whereas Puffins have white faces and dark eyes
• Razorbills nest in colonies on ledges and the edges of rocky cliffs
• Puffins nest in colonies but prefer to burrow under soft soil to nest

What Is The Difference Between A Razorbill And A Puffin?

It’s quite easy to list the similarities between the Razorbill and the Puffin and this can make it somewhat difficult to tell them apart from a distance especially to the untrained eye. However, they have enough differences in appearance, behaviour and habitat to help distinguish between the two. These differences include;

Visual Differences

Razorbills are larger than Puffins and have a sleek, streamlined body shape. They have a black head, neck, back and wings with a white underbelly. Their most distinctive feature is their thick, slightly upturned black bill which has a white line running across it.

The Razorbills bill is more elongated and far less colourful than that of the Puffin.

Puffins are smaller than Razorbills and have a more robust, stocky appearance. They have black upperparts, white underparts, a white face and dark eyes. But their most striking feature is their large triangular, brightly coloured bill which usually has orange, yellow and blue hues.

The bill of the puffin is broader and shorter than the bill of the Razorbill and far more brightly coloured especially during the breeding season when it is at its most vibrant.

Razorbills are strong fliers and display rapid wing beats and appear to be more comfortable in the air than Puffins.

Puffins also display rapid wing beats but have a more erratic flight pattern and appear less graceful in the air compared to Razorbills.

Differences In Habitat

Razorbills are found in the North Atlantic where they nest on rocky shores and cliffs around coastal areas of Europe and North America. They tend to prefer isolated and rugged cliff faces.

Puffins are also found in the North Atlantic and there are large populations of Puffins in Norway, Iceland and the UK. They prefer grassy areas where they can dig burrows to nest in but they can also be found on cliffs.

Puffins are skilled divers and use their wings to swim underwater where they catch fish such as sand eels and herring and can often be observed carrying several fish crosswise in their bills as they fly towards their nesting sites. They can reach depths of around 61 metres (200 feet) underwater when searching for food.

Razorbills can also dive underwater in search of fish and they hunt schooling fish like herring. They can also dive deep in some cases reaching depths of around 100 metres (330 feet) although 30 metres (100 feet) is a common diving range for the Razorbill.

Nests & Eggs

Razorbills don’t build nests in the traditional sense. They tend to lay their single egg in crevices or ledges of rocky cliffs. They will choose a site which has some protection from bad weather or predatory attack.

The nest is often lined with small stones, dried dropping or pieces of local plant material. Razorbills tend to breed in colonies and will lay just one egg per breeding season. 

The egg is an ovoid-pyramidal shape which prevents it from falling or rolling off the ledge of the cliff. It is creamy coloured and covered in dark brown spots or freckles and around 75 x 48 mm in size. Each egg weighs around 90 grams.

Puffins will dig burrows in the soil which can extend for up to more than 1 metre (3 feet) in depth, or use natural crevices to lay a single egg. If a breeding pair uses a burrow one year, they tend to return to the same burrow in subsequent years.

They will line their nest with twigs or pieces of grass and they will then lay a single egg.  The egg will be a dull white colour and a standard egg shape. It will be around 67 x 47 mm in size and weigh around 62 grams which is quite a large egg compared to the size of the bird.

Puffins are also known to nest in large colonies as with many seabirds, there is safety in numbers. Large colonies can better protect individuals against predators, or at least warn others of any intruders.

Bird Calls

Neither of these birds are very vocal, although both are known to make sounds especially during the breeding season. Razorbills are often heard making a deep croaking sound which is especially prevalent in their cliffside breeding colonies.

Puffins are more vocal in their breeding grounds and produce a number of sounds which include chattering and growls.

Size & Weight

Razorbills are generally the larger of the two birds with an average length of around 37 to 39 cm and a wingspan of around 63 to 67 cm. They weigh anywhere between 590 to 730 grams with males typically being larger than females.

Puffins have an average length of around 26 to 29 cm and a wingspan of around 47 to 63 cm. They weigh anywhere between 320 to 480 grams and although males and females tend to look very similar, once again the male is slightly larger.

SEE ALSO: Capercaillie Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

Frequently Asked Questions