Atlantic Common Murre ( aka Baccalieu Bird )

The Common Murre or Turr as it is commonly called in Newfoundland is one of our best known seabirds. In spite of considerable hunting pressure during the winter months, the population has been increasing so that at the Cape St. Mary's colony there are presently 10,000 nesting pairs. In 1959 this colony consisted of only 2500 pairs. The common murre nests along the narrow ledges of steep cliff faces. There is little room for the adult pairs but the pear shaped egg is less likely to roll off the ledge than a round egg. Murres feed mainly on fish but they also have a taste for crustaceans and other marine life.