Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
ALCIDAE Members: Razorbill 315
General Comments
By far the most numerous alcid in North Carolina waters is the Razorbill, and thankfully for all of us, it has greatly increased in numbers as a wintering bird over the past two decades, signaling a population increase in North American breeding population. In some recent winters, hundreds to a few thousands have seen seen on a given pelagic trip, and there are a few single-day counts of over 3,000 birds. Though it is more often encountered on pelagic trips, its main foraging areas are within about 10 miles of the beach; and persistent ocean-watching along a beach in winter, mainly on the east-facing Currituck Banks or Hatteras Island, can yield one to several Razorbills. However, observations from shore are usually "specks" many hundred yards away, either in direct flight low over the water or sitting on the ocean, where they may be constantly diving. Though observers report "alcid sp." on some CBCs, or during coastal watches, such birds are statistically "just Razorbills". As with the murres, there are no records in the state away from salt water.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
S2N
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Winter resident offshore and coastally, increasing. Formerly (prior to 1995) rare along the coast, but in recent years the status has become "often common, to at times abundant" along/off the northern half of the coast, south to the Cape Hatteras area; generally common now in the offshore zone from Cape Hatteras northward. Uncommon to at times fairly common along/off the central coast (south to Carteret), but mostly rare farther southward, but still by far the most numerous alcid. One in the New River (Onslow) on 21 Jan 1933 is apparently the only record away from the ocean or Pamlico Sound (where there are a few records). Often large numbers can be seen from shore, especially from Cape Hatteras point and northward. Mostly from mid-Dec to late Mar; very rarely from 9 Nov to 3 May. Peak counts: 12,000 in flight from Cape Hatteras Point, 30 Jan 2018; 9,000, from Cape Hatteras Point, 15 Feb 2005; 7,990, Jennette's Pier (Dare), 26 Feb 2017; 6,558, from Cape Hatteras Point, 7 Mar 2022; 6,355, from Cape Hatteras Point, 5 Mar 2024; 6,069, off Oregon Inlet, 21 Feb 2026; 5,096 from that site, 10 Mar 2024; 3,861 from that site, 9 Mar 2021; 3,100 from Jennette's Pier, 11 Feb 2025; 2,838 on a pelagic trip off Oregon Inlet, 27 Feb 2022. Many more counts of 1,000-2,600 birds. All of the higher counts (over 100 birds) have been from 1994 to the present.
Piedmont
No records.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips
The Razorbill is now seldom missed on winter pelagic trips. To see it from shore, make sure you have a good scope, and try looking from Cape Hatteras northward. Jennette's Pier at Nags Head can be good in Jan and Feb. Johnnie Mercer's Pier at Wrightsville Beach can be productive, at times, along the southern coast -- though your chances are better the farther north you go along the coast. However, a few birds can often be seen from shore around jetties and the inshore ocean, without the need to go onto a pier -- though a scope is always recommended for any ocean-watching.