Razorbill or murre? (Iceland) (1 Viewer)

[lowressgbirding]

Hi,

I was on a puffin-watching boat tour when I saw this bird flying pass. Is it possible to ID what it is from these pictures? Unfortunately these were the only photos I have; sorry for the poor quality. Thank you.

 

[THE_FERN]

I think 4-01 is Razorbill (taking artifacts etc into account...blah). I wouldn't bet anything on the others

 

[lockbreeze926]

Third one I'd agree is a Razorbill - the pale markings on the bill can be seen; the same might apply to the first one, but that could be something on the ground. Middle one is a puffer fish.

 

[lowressgbirding]

Thanks for the replies! Just to clarify that all the pics are of the same bird, taken at different time points as it was flying.

(Haha at the pufferfish comment.)

 

[lowressgbirding]

Also, are we confident to rule out thick-billed murre?

 

[THE_FERN]

Also, are we confident to rule out thick-billed murre?

For the one I said was razorbill, then yes

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

Also, are we confident to rule out thick-billed murre?

More likely from those shots, I would say.

 

[lowressgbirding]

For the one I said was razorbill, then yes

More likely from those shots, I would say.

Thanks! May I ask why / what details help to differentiate the two?

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

Thanks! May I ask why / what details help to differentiate the two?

Seems to show a horizontal stripe on the bill, rather than vertical stripes. Admittedly it’s tricky and I’m viewing it in a phone.

 

[Butty]

In none of the photos is the bird identifiable beyond being either guillemot sp. or razorbill. The 'bill-markings' could easily be background or photo-artefact. In photos of this extremely low quality (no offence), I doubt that actual bill- or face-markings would show up at all. Note that even the bill-shape isn't discernible. If it was to be identified it might be by the amount of white on the wing and/or upperbody, but in such a fuzzy photo that couldn't be trusted to represent reality either.

 

[Bismarck Honeyeater]

In none of the photos is the bird identifiable beyond being either guillemot sp. or razorbill. The 'bill-markings' could easily be background or photo-artefact. In photos of this extremely low quality (no offence), I doubt that actual bill- or face-markings would show up at all. Note that even the bill-shape isn't discernible. If it was to be identified it might be by the amount of white on the wing and/or upperbody, but in such a fuzzy photo that couldn't be trusted to represent reality either.

I wouldn’t think Common Guillemot is in the running, as the flanks in all the photos appear clean.

Truth be told it’s never going to be possible with such low res photos. Maybe that’s where the OP gets his name from. 😀

 

[Butty]

As with other fine features, in such low-quality photos it's highly likely that flank-markings wouldn't show up.

 

[lowressgbirding]

I wouldn’t think Common Guillemot is in the running, as the flanks in all the photos appear clean.

Truth be told it’s never going to be possible with such low res photos. Maybe that’s where the OP gets his name from. 😀

Yes indeed 😁 I photograph birds with my phone camera. Depending on the how far the birds are, some turn out decent, but others like these are challenging to ID 😅