Design

The common murre dives after its food, often to depths of 100 ft (30 m). However, it has been recorded reaching a depth of 550 ft (168 m). Its strong wings propel it through the water and enable it to catch its prey. The common murre does not build a nest. The female lays a single egg on a bare rock ledge, and both parents take turns incubating it. The egg is so pointed on one end that it rolls in a circle if it is pushed. That’s a great design to keep the egg from rolling off the rocky ledge.

Features

• The common murre is sometimes confused with a penguin. Like a penguin it has a white underbelly and dark head, neck, back, wings, and tail, as well as an upward posture.
• It has a long straight beak and short tail and wings; its feet are three-toed and webbed.

Fun Facts

• The common murre is also called the common guillemot.
• It spends the majority of its life at sea, only coming ashore to breed.
• The eggs of the common murre vary in color, from white to light green, blue, or brown. The coloring may help the parents recognize their eggs.
• Some of the sounds this bird makes include purrs, growls, and croaks.
• The lining of the common murre’s mouth is yellow.