The sudden midsummer arrival of penguin-like birds in the central Mediterranean has caught researchers by surprise. According to AFP, this week several individuals identified as alca torda, commonly known as razorbill penguins, have appeared along Corsica and at various points along the French and Spanish coasts. This species typically resides year-round farther northwest in Europe, and such unusual movement could indicate shifts in migration patterns driven by climate change.
For about a week and a half, observers reported four birds in Corsica, including two alive and two found deceased. Amandine Peric, director of the wildlife care center U Pettirossu, told AFP that the population of these birds seems unusually large this year. The Mediterranean sightings of razorbills are striking, with a notable number straying farther from their usual routes, according to Peric. This influx is described as exceptional by wildlife experts monitoring the coastlines.
— photo caption —
In several expert assessments, this year has shown an unusual influx of razorbills seen from Spain down to southeast France. These open-sea birds typically come ashore only to breed and spend most of their lives at sea; their presence near the coast is therefore remarkable. Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, president of the French Union for Conservation of Birds, commented that most specimens observed so far appear in poor condition, and many do not survive along the Mediterranean shores. The trend has prompted urgent discussions among researchers about potential causes and conservation concerns.
Could climate shifts be changing their range?
The precise reasons behind these migrations toward the Mediterranean remain unclear, and the causes of illness observed in several individuals are not yet understood. Bougrain-Dubourg notes that multiple hypotheses could explain the phenomenon, inviting further study and monitoring of the affected populations.
One plausible explanation points to feeding difficulties in the birds’ northern range, where fish resources may be scarcer. Warming oceans and broader climate changes can push seabirds to travel farther in search of food, altering traditional migration routes and timing.
Another scenario suggests that a rise in extreme weather events and powerful storms could displace razorbills from their typical habitats. If populations expand due to favorable breeding conditions elsewhere, such shifts might become more common. Images of the birds after reaching the Mediterranean coast illustrate the stress and poor condition many individuals are experiencing during these unusual movements.
Regardless of the underlying causes, experts emphasize caution. Displaced razorbills can carry illnesses that may spread if they come into contact with domestic birds or other wildlife. Even without direct interaction with people, the risk of disease transmission is a real concern for local ecosystems. Seagulls, which interact with both land and sea habitats, could play a role in connecting breeding grounds with coastal environments. For this reason, observers are advised not to touch or handle the birds, and to report sightings to local wildlife authorities when appropriate.
…
Note from environmental authorities: ongoing monitoring and data collection continue to better understand this unusual event and its potential implications for marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems.
End of report