Uria

ThickbilledMurre23

Common Murre RWD2

Fratercula arctica distribution map

Uria lomvia5

Uria lomvia map

Uria is a genus of seabirds in the Alcidae family, which includes some of the most well-known and charismatic species of the Arctic and North Atlantic regions. The genus Uria consists of two extant species:

• The Common Guillemot (Uria aalge), also known as the Common Murre in North America.
• The Thick-billed Guillemot (Uria lomvia), also known as Brünnich's Guillemot.

These birds are key components of marine ecosystems, where they play a significant role in the food web. Uria species are adapted to cold, marine environments and are noted for their deep-diving capabilities, which allow them to feed on fish and invertebrates below the ocean surface.

Description

Members of the genus Uria are large seabirds with black or brown upperparts and white underparts. They have long, narrow wings and are excellent swimmers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater. Their legs are set far back on their bodies, which aids in swimming but makes them clumsy walkers on land.

Habitat and Distribution

Uria species are found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. They breed on steep, rocky cliff shores and islands, where they lay their eggs in dense colonies. Outside the breeding season, they are highly pelagic, spending most of their time far out at sea.

Behavior

Breeding

Uria species are colonial breeders, with thousands of birds nesting in close proximity on cliffs and rocky outcrops. They lay a single, large egg directly on the bare rock. Both parents share incubation duties and the care of the chick until it fledges.

Feeding

These birds dive from the surface to catch fish and invertebrates, using their wings to swim underwater. They are capable of diving to significant depths to find food.

Conservation

While Uria species are currently not considered endangered, they face threats from oil spills, overfishing, which reduces their food sources, and climate change, which affects their breeding habitats. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting their breeding sites and ensuring sustainable fish populations.

See Also

• Alcidae
• Seabird
• Arctic wildlife
• Marine conservation