Razorbill - Alca torda Linnaeus, 1758
Quick facts
| Threat status Europe | Near Threatened (IUCN) |
|---|---|
| EU Population status |
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| Protected by | EU Birds Directive and 2 other international agreements |
| Natura 2000 sites | 175 are designated for this species |
| Breeding habitats |
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| Wintering habitats |
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| Natura 2000 species code | A200 |
Distribution
The distribution map is currently disabled. A new map solution will soon become available. In the meantime, please consult other species distribution map providers listed in the Other resources panel below.
Threat and EU population status
IUCN Red List status of threatened species
The IUCN Red List threat status assesses the risk of extinction.
World
Least Concern
Europe
Near Threatened
EU
Not evaluated
EU population status
The status of the population at the EU level was evaluated at the species level; this was based on the reports delivered by Member States under Article 12 of the Birds Directive (see fact sheet below). The EU status assessment can cover several subspecies/subspecific population units. For more information, please consult the species fact sheet and link below.
Natura 2000 sites
Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites
Protected sites
Please note the site map takes a while to display.Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
| Legal text | Annex | Conditions | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 30 November 2009, on the conservation of wild birds (EU Birds Directive) | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm | ||
| Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention) | (All species of Birds not included in Appendix II) | http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cul.../bern/default_en.asp | |
| Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds. Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (AEWA) |
http://www.migratoryspecies....ent/about-cms-family
http://www.unep-aewa.org/en/legalinstrument/aewa |
Common names and synonyms
Common Name
 |
Language
|
Reference
|
|---|---|---|
| Alca Común | Spanish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Alk | Dutch | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Alka | Hungarian | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Alka | Polish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Alka malá | Czech | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Alke | Norwegian | Direktoratet for Naturforvaltning |
| Gazza marina | Italian | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Pingouin torda | French | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Razorbill | English | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Ruokki | Finnish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Torda-mergulheira | Portuguese | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Tordalk | German | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
| Tordmule | Swedish | Hagemeijer, W.J.M. & Blair, M.J. |
No synonyms available.
Other resources
| CoL (accepted name) | Catalogue of Life |
| EBCC Atlas of breeding birds | European Bird Census Council's Atlas of Breeding Birds |
| EURing code:06360 | European bird-ringing |
| EoL | Encyclopedia of Life |
| Fauna Europaea | Fauna Europaea |
| GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility |
| ITIS (Valid name) | Interagency Taxonomic Information System |
| NCBI search | National Center for Biotechnology Information |
| PESI (Accepted) | Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure |
| Wikipedia | Wikipedia |
| WoRMS | World Register of Marine Species |
External data
Population distribution from "Birds in Europe" editions 1 and 2
These publications present a thorough and detailed review of the conservation status of European birds. Based on detailed breeding and wintering population data collected in each country, the report provides a review of the population sizes and trends of Species of European Conservation Concern.
1
| Country | Biogeographic region | Min / Max (Units) | Period | Status | Quality | Source | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 120000/400000 (individuals) | 1987-1991 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Denmark | 650/750 (pairs) | 1999-2000 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Denmark - Greenland | 1500/5500 (pairs) | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Denmark - Greenland | 100/5000 (individuals) | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Estonia | 1/10 (pairs) | 1998 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Estonia | 300/1000 (individuals) | 1998 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Finland | 6000/8500 (pairs) | 1998-2002 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| France | 2000/12000 (individuals) | 1998-2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| France | 26/27 (pairs) | 2000 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| France | 39/43 (pairs) | 1988 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1993-12-31 | |
| Germany | 8300/8300 (individuals) | 1987-2003 | Wintering | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Germany | 11/11 (pairs) | 1995-1999 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Iceland | 247000/548000 (pairs) | 1975-1994 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Iceland | 300000/600000 (individuals) | 1978-1994 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Iceland | Arctic | 300000/400000 (pairs) | - | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1993-12-31 |
| Ireland | 17407/17407 (pairs) | 1999-2002 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Ireland | Atlantic | 11000/11000 (pairs) | 1985-1987 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1993-12-31 |
| Latvia | 2000/2300 (individuals) | 1992-1994 | Wintering | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Lithuania | 0/49 (individuals) | 1992-2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Norway | 20000/40000 (pairs) | 1996-2002 | Breeding | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Norway | 20000/40000 (pairs) | 1990 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1993-12-31 | |
| Portugal | Present/Present (individuals) | 2002 | Wintering | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Russian Federation | 2500/10000 (pairs) | 1990-2002 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Sweden | 90000/110000 (individuals) | 1998-2001 | Wintering | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| Sweden | 9000/11000 (pairs) | 1999-2000 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| United Kingdom | 126000/126000 (pairs) | 1998-2002 | Breeding | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 | |
| United Kingdom | Atlantic | 80000/80000 (pairs) | 1985-1987 | Breeding | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1993-12-31 |
| United Kingdom - Gibraltar | 10/30 (individuals) | 2000-2003 | Wintering | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2003-12-31 |
Population trends from "Birds in Europe" editions 1 and 2
These publications present a thorough and detailed review of the conservation status of European birds. Based on detailed breeding and wintering population data collected in each country, the report provides a review of the population sizes and trends of Species of European Conservation Concern.
1
| Country | Biogeographic region | Period | Status | Trend | Quality | Source | Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing between 50% to 79% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Denmark | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Denmark - Greenland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Denmark - Greenland | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Estonia | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Estonia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Finland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing : 30 % | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| France | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Decreasing between 0% to 9% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| France | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| France | 1970-1990 | Breeding | Large decrease of at least 50% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1994 | |
| Germany | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing between 50% to 79% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Germany | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Iceland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Iceland | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Iceland | Arctic | 1970-1990 | Breeding | Small increase of 20-49% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1994 |
| Ireland | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing between 50% to 79% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Ireland | Atlantic | 1970-1990 | Breeding | Small decrease of 20-49% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1994 |
| Latvia | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Lithuania | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Norway | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Norway | 1970-1990 | Breeding | Small decrease of 20-49% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1994 | |
| Portugal | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Unknown | Species poorly known, with no quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Russian Federation | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Sweden | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| Sweden | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| United Kingdom | 1990-2000 | Breeding | Increasing : 22 % | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 | |
| United Kingdom | Atlantic | 1970-1990 | Breeding | Small increase of 20-49% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 1 (1970-1990) | 1994 |
| United Kingdom - Gibraltar | 1990-2000 | Wintering | Stable between 0% to 19% | Reliable quantitative data (e.g. atlas survey or monitoring data, etc.) are available for the whole period and region in question | Birds in Europe 2 (1990-2000) | 2004 |
Reportnet deliveries
Files delivered through Reportnet with relevance to this species.
1
Summary of derogations for species
EU member states are required to report derogations from protection efforts of species.
1
| Region | From | Until | Justification | Activity | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 2014-02-15 | 2015-12-31 | Too many spices to give a proper number | Capture | Small impact on all populations |
| Poland | 2014-02-15 | 2015-12-31 | Too many spices to give a proper number | Stuffing | Small impact on all populations |
| Poland | 2014-02-15 | 2015-12-31 | Too many spices to give a proper number | Keeping in captivity | Small impact on all populations |
| Zachodniopomorskie | 2014-02-15 | 2015-12-31 | Too many spices to give a proper number | Capture | Small impact on all populations |
| Zachodniopomorskie | 2014-02-15 | 2015-12-31 | Too many spices to give a proper number | Stuffing | Small impact on all populations |
| Zachodniopomorskie | 2014-02-15 | 2015-12-31 | Too many spices to give a proper number | Keeping in captivity | Small impact on all populations |
| Poland | 2012-11-19 | 2013-01-31 | 60 individuals- Aythya marila, 10 individuals- Somateria mollissima , 30 individuals- Clangula hyemalis, 50 individuals - Melanitta fusca, 20 individuals - Bucephala clangula, 5 individuals - Mergellus albellus, 10 individuals - Mergus serrator, 80 individuals - Mergus merganser, 5 individuals -Gacia stellata, 5 individuals- Gavia arctic, 10 individuals - Podiceps cristatus, 10 Podiceps grisegena, 10 individuals - Larus ridibundus, 10 individuals- Alca torda, 10 individuals - Uria aalge, 10 individuals- Cepphus grylle, 5 individuals- Ciconia ciconia, 3 individuals -Haliaeetus albicilla, 3 individuals - Buteo buteo, 3 individuals -Accipter gentilis, 3 individuals -Accipter nisus, 1 individual - Falco peregrinus, 1 individual - Falco subbuteo , 3 individuals Falco tinnunculus, 3 individuals - Bubo bubo, 3 individuals Strix aluco, 3 individuals Asio otus | Stuffing | Lack of negative impact on population |
| Zachodniopomorskie | 2012-11-19 | 2013-01-31 | 60 individuals- Aythya marila, 10 individuals- Somateria mollissima , 30 individuals- Clangula hyemalis, 50 individuals - Melanitta fusca, 20 individuals - Bucephala clangula, 5 individuals - Mergellus albellus, 10 individuals - Mergus serrator, 80 individuals - Mergus merganser, 5 individuals -Gacia stellata, 5 individuals- Gavia arctic, 10 individuals - Podiceps cristatus, 10 Podiceps grisegena, 10 individuals - Larus ridibundus, 10 individuals- Alca torda, 10 individuals - Uria aalge, 10 individuals- Cepphus grylle, 5 individuals- Ciconia ciconia, 3 individuals -Haliaeetus albicilla, 3 individuals - Buteo buteo, 3 individuals -Accipter gentilis, 3 individuals -Accipter nisus, 1 individual - Falco peregrinus, 1 individual - Falco subbuteo , 3 individuals Falco tinnunculus, 3 individuals - Bubo bubo, 3 individuals Strix aluco, 3 individuals Asio otus | Stuffing | Lack of negative impact on population |
| Poland | 2012-11-19 | 2013-01-31 | 60 individuals- Aythya marila, 10 individuals- Somateria mollissima , 30 individuals- Clangula hyemalis, 50 individuals - Melanitta fusca, 20 individuals - Bucephala clangula, 5 individuals - Mergellus albellus, 10 individuals - Mergus serrator, 80 individuals - Mergus merganser, 5 individuals -Gacia stellata, 5 individuals- Gavia arctic, 10 individuals - Podiceps cristatus, 10 Podiceps grisegena, 10 individuals - Larus ridibundus, 10 individuals- Alca torda, 10 individuals - Uria aalge, 10 individuals- Cepphus grylle, 5 individuals- Ciconia ciconia, 3 individuals -Haliaeetus albicilla, 3 individuals - Buteo buteo, 3 individuals -Accipter gentilis, 3 individuals -Accipter nisus, 1 individual - Falco peregrinus, 1 individual - Falco subbuteo , 3 individuals Falco tinnunculus, 3 individuals - Bubo bubo, 3 individuals Strix aluco, 3 individuals Asio otus | Stuffing | Lack of negative impact on population |
| Zachodniopomorskie | 2012-11-19 | 2013-01-31 | 60 individuals- Aythya marila, 10 individuals- Somateria mollissima , 30 individuals- Clangula hyemalis, 50 individuals - Melanitta fusca, 20 individuals - Bucephala clangula, 5 individuals - Mergellus albellus, 10 individuals - Mergus serrator, 80 individuals - Mergus merganser, 5 individuals -Gacia stellata, 5 individuals- Gavia arctic, 10 individuals - Podiceps cristatus, 10 Podiceps grisegena, 10 individuals - Larus ridibundus, 10 individuals- Alca torda, 10 individuals - Uria aalge, 10 individuals- Cepphus grylle, 5 individuals- Ciconia ciconia, 3 individuals -Haliaeetus albicilla, 3 individuals - Buteo buteo, 3 individuals -Accipter gentilis, 3 individuals -Accipter nisus, 1 individual - Falco peregrinus, 1 individual - Falco subbuteo , 3 individuals Falco tinnunculus, 3 individuals - Bubo bubo, 3 individuals Strix aluco, 3 individuals Asio otus | Stuffing | Lack of negative impact on population |
| País Vasco | 2012-01-01 | 2012-12-31 | Sin límite, puesto que la actividad autorizada es el anillamiento | Asistencia a aves heridas | Inapreciable |
| Northern Ireland (UK) | 2010-05-06 | 2010-08-31 | limited by site location | Capture (ringing) | nil; ringing/marking only |
| Northern Ireland (UK) | 2010-05-06 | 2010-08-31 | limited by site location | Marketing | nil; ringing/marking only |
| United Kingdom | 2010-04-29 | 2010-09-30 | 140 Manx Shearwater (puffinus puffinus) licenced actually taken 123 20 Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) licenced actually taken 20 20 Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) licenced actually taken 8 20 Razorbills(Alca torda) licenced actually taken 7 20 Guillimots (Uria aalge) licenced actually taken 18 20 Fulmars(Fulmarus glacialis) licenced actually taken 0 | Capture (ringing) | Negligible Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) 299,712 Guillemots (Uria Aalge) 1,420,900 Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) 580,799 Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) 379,892 Razorbill (Alca tprda) 188,576 Fulmar ( Fulmarus glacialis) 504,756 |
| United Kingdom | 2010-04-29 | 2010-09-30 | 140 Manx Shearwater (puffinus puffinus) licenced actually taken 123 20 Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) licenced actually taken 20 20 Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) licenced actually taken 8 20 Razorbills(Alca torda) licenced actually taken 7 20 Guillimots (Uria aalge) licenced actually taken 18 20 Fulmars(Fulmarus glacialis) licenced actually taken 0 | Deliberate disturbance during the period of rearing | Negligible Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) 299,712 Guillemots (Uria Aalge) 1,420,900 Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) 580,799 Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) 379,892 Razorbill (Alca tprda) 188,576 Fulmar ( Fulmarus glacialis) 504,756 |
| United Kingdom | 2010-04-29 | 2010-09-30 | 140 Manx Shearwater (puffinus puffinus) licenced actually taken 123 20 Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) licenced actually taken 20 20 Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) licenced actually taken 8 20 Razorbills(Alca torda) licenced actually taken 7 20 Guillimots (Uria aalge) licenced actually taken 18 20 Fulmars(Fulmarus glacialis) licenced actually taken 0 | photograph | Negligible Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) 299,712 Guillemots (Uria Aalge) 1,420,900 Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) 580,799 Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) 379,892 Razorbill (Alca tprda) 188,576 Fulmar ( Fulmarus glacialis) 504,756 |
