Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s murre)

Uria lomvia

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
ABNNN02020
Common Name: 
Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich’s murre)
Scientific Name: 
Uria lomvia
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Charadriiformes
Family: 
Alcidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

average 5.7 yrs (Coats Isl., NU)
References: 
CS35

Longevity

oldest known 25 yr
References: 
CS35

Economic/Human Considerations

hunted species
References: 
H131
Habitat
marine (nests on sea cliffs)
References: 
B004
H131
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic
References: 
B004

Distribution

<0.01; Range extent covers mainland. Range extent visually estimated from range map in "Distribution of birds in NWT & Nunavut: 2009 Review" (CWS)
Score: 
E
References: 
B004
Winter Distribution Description: 
marine, in breeding range and southward

Number of Occurrences

1 breeding population on Cape Parry Bird Sanctuary (subspecies U. l. arra)
Score: 
A
References: 
B004

Historical Distribution

unknown
References: 
H131

Area of Occupancy

unknown; likely stable
Score: 
-
References: 
GG14
H131
CS34
H305
Population

Population Size

North American population approx. 1.4 million pairs, mostly in NU.CWS counts of colonies at Cape Parry Migratory Bird Sanctuary range from 570-880 between 2002-2013.
Score: 
C
References: 
GG14
H127-05
CS34

Density

colonial
Trends

Trends

Major decline in numbers (20-40%) in eastern Canadian arctic since mid-1950s, population at certain colonies may now be stable, but at reduced levels. Counts at Cape Parry increased from 2002-2013 , and were comparable to 2 other surveys from the 70's, suggests NWT population may be stable. (BNA Online revised 2000; EC data catalogue)
Score: 
GH
References: 
GG14
H131
CS34
H305
Threats

Threats

human disturbance,potential over-hunting, egging, habitat loss, oil spills, fishing nets (BNA Online, revised 2000). Cape Parry population is small and confined to a small area making it susceptible to disasters.
Score: 
BC
References: 
B004
GG14
CS34
H305

Intrinsic Vulnerability

possibly pollution, development, global climate change
Score: 
-
References: 
B004
GG14
CS34
H305
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
Very small population size and limited distribution in NWT (1 known colony). Designated conservation status "Moderate Concern" by Wings Over Water 2003 (CS26)Stable colony numbers since the 70s, new data does not support an increased at risk designation, however the population is still very small and exists at a single colony.
S Rank: 
S2S3
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Grant Gilchrist based mostly on printed material in 2000; Reviewed in 2005 by C. Swoboda, based on printed material: modified from undetermined to sensitive.; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed by Danica Hogan CWS in 2015, no change
Last Updated: 
February 3, 2015

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Gaston, A. J., and J. M. Hipfner (2000) Thick-billed Murre in Birds of North America. No. 497, The Academy of Natural Sciences and The American Ornithologists' Union - CS35 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Nettleship, D.N. and T.R. Birkhead (1985) The Atlantic Alcidae: The Evolution, Distribution and Biology of the Auks Inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Water Areas. Academic Press CWS office. Yellowknife - GG14 Return
  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return
  • Charlwood, Jason (2003) Photographic Survey of Cape Parry Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) Colony, July 2002. unpublished report for CWS - CS34 Return
  • Danica Hogan and Paul F. Woodard (2015) ecopy - H305 Return

Economic Status

  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Nettleship, D.N. and T.R. Birkhead (1985) The Atlantic Alcidae: The Evolution, Distribution and Biology of the Auks Inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Water Areas. Academic Press CWS office. Yellowknife - GG14 Return
  • Charlwood, Jason (2003) Photographic Survey of Cape Parry Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) Colony, July 2002. unpublished report for CWS - CS34 Return
  • Danica Hogan and Paul F. Woodard (2015) ecopy - H305 Return

Longevity

  • Gaston, A. J., and J. M. Hipfner (2000) Thick-billed Murre in Birds of North America. No. 497, The Academy of Natural Sciences and The American Ornithologists' Union - CS35 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Population Size

Nettleship, D.N. and T.R. Birkhead (1985) The Atlantic Alcidae: The Evolution, Distribution and Biology of the Auks Inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Water Areas. Academic Press CWS office. Yellowknife - GG14 Return
,
Hines, Jim (2005) Pers. communication Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife. - H127-05 Return
,
Charlwood, Jason (2003) Photographic Survey of Cape Parry Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) Colony, July 2002. unpublished report for CWS - CS34 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Nettleship, D.N. and T.R. Birkhead (1985) The Atlantic Alcidae: The Evolution, Distribution and Biology of the Auks Inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Water Areas. Academic Press CWS office. Yellowknife - GG14 Return
  • Gilchrist Grant (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife Population Biologist, Eastern Arctic, CWS Yellowknife - H131 Return
  • Charlwood, Jason (2003) Photographic Survey of Cape Parry Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) Colony, July 2002. unpublished report for CWS - CS34 Return
  • Danica Hogan and Paul F. Woodard (2015) ecopy - H305 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Nettleship, D.N. and T.R. Birkhead (1985) The Atlantic Alcidae: The Evolution, Distribution and Biology of the Auks Inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Water Areas. Academic Press CWS office. Yellowknife - GG14 Return
  • Charlwood, Jason (2003) Photographic Survey of Cape Parry Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia) Colony, July 2002. unpublished report for CWS - CS34 Return
  • Danica Hogan and Paul F. Woodard (2015) ecopy - H305 Return