Common Murre

Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird species that is found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. It is a medium-sized bird with a black back, white underparts, and a pointed bill. It has a wingspan of up to 70 cm and a body length of up to 40 cm. It is a diving bird that feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. It breeds in colonies on rocky islands and coasts, and nests in crevices or on ledges. Its lifespan is up to 25 years, and its current population is estimated to be around 10 million.

Name Origin: Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a species of seabird found in the northern hemisphere. The name Uria aalge is derived from the Latin word for sea, "uria", and the Old Norse word for "murre", "aalge". The combination of these two words is thought to have been used to describe the species' habit of nesting on rocky cliffs near the sea.

Related Species: Uria lomvia, Uria grylle, Uria aalge schistacea

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Aves

Class: Aves

Order: Aves

Family: Alcidae

Genus: Aalge

Species: Auk

Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird that lives in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. They prefer to live in rocky coastal areas, where they can find plenty of food and shelter. They nest in colonies on cliffs and rocky islands, and they often feed in large flocks. The ideal living conditions for Uria aalge include plenty of food sources, such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, as well as access to sheltered areas for nesting. The unique features of their habitat include the presence of other seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes, as well as marine mammals, such as seals and whales. Uria aalge also share their habitat with a variety of fish species, including cod, herring, and mackerel.

Native country: N. Atlantic, Arctic Ocean.

Native continent: Uria aalge is found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, primarily in the Atlantic Ocean, including the coasts of Europe and North America.

Other organisms found in habitat: Phalacrocorax carbo, Larus marinus, Mytilus edulis, Zostera marina

Appearance Summary: Uria aalge is a medium-sized seabird with a black head, neck, and upperparts, and white underparts. It has a short, thick, yellow bill and a short, black tail. Its legs and feet are black. It has a white patch on its wings and a white line along its back. It has a white crescent-shaped patch on its forehead. Its eyes are yellow. It has a white throat and a white line along its lower neck.

Facial description: Uria aalge has a black head and neck, with a white throat and cheeks. Its bill is short and stout, with a hooked tip. Its eyes are yellow and its legs and feet are black. It has a white belly and a black back. Its wings are short and pointed, and its tail is short and square.

What are the distinct features of Common Murre? Flightless, black and white plumage, red bill, webbed feet, loud cackling calls, nests in colonies, feeds on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks

What makes them unique?

Common Murre body color description: The most common colors of Uria aalge are black, white, and gray.

skin type: The Uria aalge has a smooth, glossy exterior with a mottled pattern of black, white, and gray. Its feathers are soft and downy, giving it a velvety texture.

Strengths: Adaptability, Camouflage, Flight, Diving, Migration

Weaknesses: Susceptibility to oil spills, Limited diet, Low reproductive rate, Limited habitat range, Low genetic diversity

Uria aalge behavior summary: Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird that is found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. It is a strong swimmer and can dive up to 200 feet in search of food. It is also able to walk on land, using its webbed feet to move around. It is a social bird and can be found in large colonies on rocky cliffs. It is a strong fighter and will use its sharp beak to defend itself against predators. It is also able to hide in the water by diving and staying still, making it difficult for predators to spot. Uria aalge is an important part of the marine ecosystem, as it helps to keep the food chain in balance.

How do they defend themselves? Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird that defends itself from attacks by using its wings to fly away from predators. It also has a sharp beak and strong claws that it can use to defend itself. Additionally, it is able to dive underwater to escape predators.

How do Common Murre respond to stimuli in their environment? Vocalizations, Posturing, Bill-dipping

How do Common Murre gather food? Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird that hunts and gathers food by diving underwater. It needs to find fish, crustaceans, and mollusks in order to survive. The common murre dives up to 200 feet underwater and uses its wings to propel itself through the water. It faces challenges such as strong currents and limited visibility while searching for food.

How do Common Murre communicate in their environment? Uria aalge communicates with other organisms through vocalizations, visual displays, and body language. These behaviors are used to attract mates, defend territories, and establish social hierarchies. Uria aalge also uses chemical signals to communicate with other organisms.

Examples: Uria aalge,Vocalizations,Producing a variety of sounds such as honks, whistles, and grunts,Body Language,Using body postures and movements to communicate,Visual Signals,Using bill movements, head bobs, and head shakes to communicate

How does the Common Murre get territorial? Defend territory, Claim territory, Establish boundaries

Diet Summary: Uria aalge primarily feeds on small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and marine worms. It also consumes some plant material, such as seaweed and algae. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include plastic and other debris, which can be mistaken for food.

Predators: Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is threatened by a variety of predators, including gulls, foxes, and other avian species. Environmental changes, such as ocean acidification, warming temperatures, and overfishing, have also had a negative impact on the population growth of this species. These factors have caused a decrease in the number of murres in many areas, making them vulnerable to further decline.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Climate Change, Predation by Gulls, Predation by Seals, Predation by Killer Whales

Life cycle: Uria aalge reproduces by laying eggs in a nest. The eggs hatch into chicks, which are cared for by both parents. The chicks reach maturity after about a year and can then reproduce. The life cycle of Uria aalge consists of four stages: egg, chick, juvenile, and adult.

Average offspring size: 20-30 cm

Most common health issues: Respiratory Disease, Gastrointestinal Disease, Infectious Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Reproductive Disease, Neurological Disease, Metabolic Disease, Skin Disease, Eye Disease

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Climate Change, Predation by Gulls, Predation by Seals, Predation by Killer Whales

Common diseases that threaten the Common Murre population: Avian Botulism, Avian Influenza, Avian Pox, Aspergillosis, Chlamydiosis, Salmonellosis, Trichomoniasis, Newcastle Disease, Mycoplasmosis

Population: Uria aalge population has been decreasing since the 1990s, with a peak of around 1.5 million individuals in the early 2000s. In the last ten years, the population has decreased by about 25%, from 1.2 million in 2010 to 900,000 in 2020.

How do Common Murre adapt to their environment Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird that is well adapted to its environment. It has a streamlined body shape that helps it to swim quickly and efficiently, and its wings are short and pointed, allowing it to maneuver easily in the water. It also has webbed feet that help it to swim and dive for food. In addition, its feathers are waterproof, which helps it to stay warm and dry in the cold ocean waters. As an example, common murres can be found in the North Atlantic Ocean, where they use their adaptations to survive in the cold and unpredictable environment.

What's their social structure? Uria aalge is a seabird that is found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. They are a top predator in the food chain, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Uria aalge typically live in large colonies, with a social hierarchy that is based on age and size. The oldest and largest birds are at the top of the hierarchy, while the younger and smaller birds are at the bottom. They interact with their family and species by forming strong pair bonds and defending their territories. They also communicate with each other through vocalizations and body language.

How would you describe their survival instincts? Uria aalge, commonly known as the common murre, is a seabird that has adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the ocean. It has a number of survival instincts, such as the ability to dive deep into the water in response to stimuli such as predators or food sources. It also has the ability to fly long distances in order to find food and migrate to warmer climates. The common murre is also able to recognize and respond to changes in its environment, such as changes in temperature or food availability.