Common Razorbill

Photo: Nicola Addelfio · CC BY-NC

Razorbills nest on the narrowest ledges of the Vestmanna cliff faces and are supremely capable underwater swimmers, able to dive to 120 metres and remain submerged for over a minute in pursuit of small schooling fish. Unlike puffins, razorbills tend to hunt in coordinated groups that work together to concentrate prey, and divers who position themselves near the cliff face during active feeding periods may see dozens of birds in the water simultaneously. Their black and white plumage becomes brilliantly visible underwater when they dive through columns of sunlight penetrating from the surface.