Common Murre (also known as the Uria aalge or thin-billed murre)

The Common Murre is a large, dark-backed auk with a tuxedo-like appearance, white underparts, and a sharp, dagger-like bill. They spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed on crowded, narrow rocky ledges on coastal cliffs.

Strikingly bicolored with deep chocolate-brown to blackish zones sharply contrasting with a broad, clean white diagonal stripe or wedge extending toward the tip, bordered by pale buff or whitish tips.

Pennaceous upper portion with a plumulaceous (fluffy) downy base near the calamus. Barbs are intact with standard hooklets.

Thin, flexible, central dark rachis transitioning to lighter tones near the tip, with evenly spaced barbs forming a clear contrasting pattern.

Smooth and firm in the upper pennaceous section for waterproofing, soft and downy at the base for thermal insulation.

Flank or upper breast contour feather, determined by its small size, distinctive contrasting dark and white pattern, and fluffy base adapted for insulation.

Distinctive bold contrast of dark brown/black and clean white forming a wedge or stripe pattern on a small, rounded contour feather.

Marine pelagic environments, rocky cliffs, coastal waters, and offshore islands during the breeding season.

Circumpolar distribution in cold northern oceans, breeding along coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, including extensive populations along the coast of Alaska down to California.

Important marine apex predator and forage fish consumer, serving as an essential bioindicator of ocean health and forage fish abundance in northern marine ecosystems.

Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba) and Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia), distinguished by subtle differences in exact patterning, coloration, and geographic context.

Common Murres lay single, highly pointed pyriform eggs on bare rock ledges; the pear shape prevents the egg from rolling off cliff edges, instead causing it to spin in a tight circle if disturbed.

Historically harvested for eggs and meat by indigenous communities and early coastal settlers in Alaska and the North Atlantic.

Look near coastal breeding colonies, rocky shores, and marine beaches where seabird molted feathers wash ashore or gather near nesting cliffs.

Good condition, fresh with intact barbs and a clean structural pattern showing minimal wear.

Soldotna, AK 2 inches long