The Asturian coast has witnessed a surprising phenomenon with the discovery of birds that bear a remarkable resemblance to penguins and which has created great confusion among the residents of the area. On Salinas beach, the Castrillón City Council reported the discovery of two specimens of ‘guirre’, a bird that is often confused with penguins due to its distinctive physical appearance.
According to the official report, a Local Police patrol appeared on Salinas beach to investigate the sighting of these birds during the early hours of the morning. It was confirmed that they were two guillemot specimens, members of the auk family.
The common guillemot is a species with a Holarctic distribution, with populations located in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In Spain, it is found within the National Catalog of Endangered Species in the ‘Endangered of Extinction’ category, based on its small breeding population.
Unfortunately, one of the birds had died probably due to exhaustion, while the other showed signs of fatigue but was in good condition.
The discovery of these birds on the Asturian coast is not an isolated event. As explained by the Mavea de Auk or Guillemot association, birds like guillemots are common throughout Europe and their presence in the region has increased this winter. César Álvarez, ornithologist, pointed out that “more razorbills and guillemots are being collected on all the beaches of Asturias than in other years”, which suggests an increase in sightings.
The resemblance of these birds to penguins has generated great interest among the local population, especially after the sighting of three birds similar to penguins in the El Espartal area in Salinas. Although the similarity is notable, experts say that these birds are common in the region and that their presence may be related to various factors, such as bad weather and bird flu.
The phenomenon of the presence of birds similar to penguins on the Asturian coast has aroused the curiosity of residents and has generated discussions about wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting these coastal ecosystems.
Despite their similarity to penguins, these birds are different and part of the marine environment, and their presence is a reminder of the unique biodiversity of the region.
