Parques de Portugal

<p> <em>Uria aalge</em> (Pontoppidan, 1763)</p>

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  • Common Murre

  • Uria aalge (Pontoppidan, 1763)

  • Alcidae

  • The common murre is a sea bird that resembles a penguin, exhibiting an elongated body, small and narrow wings, indented legs with developed interdigital membranes and a narrow and pointy beak. Its plumage is brown on the dorsal surface and white on the ventral surface, with brown stripes on its flanks. During the mating season all of its head and chest are brown. It can grow to be 46 cm long and have 73 cm span.

  • Berlengas Nature Reserve

  • Lisboa e Vale do Tejo

  • Critically Endangered (reproductive population) | Near threatened (visiting pop.)

  • The common murre nests on the rocky coasts of some islets, spending the rest of its time at sea. It is represented on the symbol of the Nature Reserve of Berlengas, the only place in mainland Portugal where this species exists. 

  • All year long

  • The common murre feeds mainly on fish, and complements its diet with crustaceans and bivalves. Its food is obtained underwater, through remarkable dives, using its wings as fins.

  • The Portuguese population of this species is estimated to be of 1 individual.