Common Murre (Uria aalge)
Resources
Status
- BC: Red – S2B, S3S4N (2015)
- COSEWIC: Not Ranked
- SARA: Not Ranked
- Global: Secure (2016)
Description
A large seabird with a long, pointed bill. The head and back are black, and the undersides are white. Feeds on fish, squid, octopus, and small marine crustaceans.
Habitat
Near-shore and offshore marine waters.
Range
Occupies coastal waters on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. Breeds in large colonies on islands and cliffs.
Threats
In British Columbia, breeding is limited to just a handful of islands on the north coast. This species is vulnerable to oil spills, gill-net entanglement, and human disturbance.
Galiano Status
This species is commonly sighted in the waters around Galiano Island.