The Thick-billed Murre breeds on narrow cliff ledges in enormous colonies in the High Arctic. The thicker bill with a white stripe along the cutting edge is the main field mark. It dives to extraordinary depths — over 700 feet — the deepest authenticated dives of any flying bird. It winters on the open ocean.
Best time to see a Thick-billed Murre
The best time to see a Thick-billed Murre is January–June, when about 71% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 715 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Thick-billed Murre? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Thick-billed Murre sightings near you
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