Common Murre look-alikes

Key differences

Thick-billed Murre has a noticeably thicker, shorter bill with a prominent white stripe along the gape (the commissural stripe), which is absent in Common Murre. Its breeding plumage is blacker, not dark brown, and the extent of dark plumage on the face is less, giving a 'hooded' appearance. The white on the flanks extends higher in Thick-billed Murre. In winter, Thick-billed Murre has an all-white throat and neck without the distinct dark gular stripe of the Common Murre.

Key differences

Razorbills are noticeably chunkier with a much heavier, deep, laterally compressed bill that has a distinctive white vertical stripe. They also have a white stripe from the bill to the eye in breeding plumage. Their upperparts are much blacker than the Common Murre's dark brown. In flight, Razorbills often show a thin white trailing edge to their secondary feathers, which is absent in Common Murres.

Key differences

Pallas's Murre is a subspecies of Common Murre, not a distinct species. It refers to the Pacific Common Murre, which appears similar to Atlantic Common Murres but tends to be slightly larger and often lacks the 'bridled' morph present in some Atlantic populations.