Subject: Common Murre colony crowd scenes, Uria aalge

Location: Yaquina Head, Oregon

Stock Number: 07-24256 (top); 07-24266 (middle); 07-24266a (bottom)

Comments: Common Murres live in dense aggregations, and have an array of behaviors to prevent fights breaking out as they make their way through the crowded groups.

The birds lay their eggs on rocky cliffs. The eggs are elongated so that if disturbed they roll in a circle rather than off the cliff edge.

When the young are about half grown, they leave the cliffs for the sea with their fathers. The fathers continue to care for them there until they are fully grown.

Common Murres have a life span of up to twenty-five years.