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Range From Predators Bald eagles, gulls, ravens, foxes, humans Prey Cod, sandlance, capelin, herring, and invertebrates Size Length: 17 inches Weight: 2.2lbs Life Span 15-20 years Reproduction Murres generally reach sexual maturity at 4-6 years old. They form monogamous pairs and arrive at crowded nest sites on rocky ledges in March - April. A nest is built using sparse materials such as pebbles or strands of grass and this is where the female lays one large egg. Both the male and female take turns caring for the egg during the 30 day incubation period and after it hatches take turns brooding the chick. At about 3 weeks old and still unable to fly the chick jumps from the nest and makes its way to the sea. By making vocal calls the chick is reunited with a parent (usually the father) and they spend the next 3-4 weeks together on the water where the chick learns to fly and the adult teaches it to catch fish. Seasonal Change Monomorphic. In summer they have dark backs, wings, and head, white breasts and white on the trailing edge of wings. Appearance changes slightly in winter with white throats, cheeks, with dark mark running from each eye back over white cheek. Morphology and Function Auks, including the common murres, have very small wings relative to their weights because of the demands of underwater swimming. For the same reason they also have relatively narrow wings, which means that when flying they are dependant on constant flapping to remain aloft, unlike other birds which can soar. The egg is very pear shaped. Since there is very little, if any, nesting material present around the egg, the shape prevents the egg from rolling off of the ledge, instead it just moves in a large circle. Other Facts |
