< img src ="https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-cover.png?w=1200"alt =""> A commonly shared video reveals what almost appears to be a penguin swimming in Boston Harbor. The video caught a great deal of attention after the post appeared on platforms like Instagram and Reddit. However, if you weed through the Boston jokes, you’ll see a rational response.
Here’s the video:
The post has thousands of likes with numerous remarks.
The video reveals a small penguin-like bird swimming through the water. Commenters suggest it’s a lost or left penguin from the aquarium, however a few had the ability to figure it out. It’s what’s called a razorbill.
https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png?resize=300,200 300w, https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png?resize=700,467 700w, https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png?resize=768,512 768w, https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png?resize=600,400 600w, https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png?resize=278,185 278w, https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png?resize=150,100 150w”alt=”people mistook a razorbill for a penguin in boston”/ > A razorbill.(Source: Chris J Walker) Outdoors.com asked the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries & Wildlife to examine the video, and they had an ornithologist evaluation the clip. They had this to state:” It is not a penguin but seems a razorbill, a kind of seabird. While it is unusual to see a razorbill this near to coast, they nest in large colonies on coastal cliffs off the coast of Atlantic Canada, and small numbers nest on islands in Maine. Their winter range includes the ocean off the coast of Massachusetts. Periodically in the winter, they are observed as far south as southern Florida.” 
< img width=" 1200"height="800 "src="https://savageventures.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/penguin-in-boston-1.png 1200w,
Penguins, naturally, are only discovered in the southern hemisphere. Razorbills are mainly discovered just in the north Atlantic. According to the National Audubon Society, the birds can occasionally appear as far south as Virginia but are very rare. In general, it’s uncommon to see the razorbills as they prefer being well offshore.
“Not surprising that some individuals assumed it was a penguin because few individuals recognize with the alcids, the group of birds that the Razorbills come from,” state authorities with the Massachusetts Audubon. “Alcids are very similar in shape and coloring, however unlike penguins they have the capability to fly.”
An extensively shared video shows what almost appears to be a penguin swimming in Boston’s harbor. Here’s what it actually is.