Ever spot a small black and white bird standing upright and think, “Is that a penguin?” You’re definitely not the only one. Some birds look so much like penguins that it’s almost uncanny. The Atlantic puffin gets mistaken for a penguin more than any other bird, mostly because of its black and white coloring and upright stance.
But let’s be real, puffins aren’t the only birds that can fool you. Birds like the common murre, razorbill, and little auk pull off that penguin vibe too. They live in totally different parts of the world, mostly up north, while penguins stick to the Southern Hemisphere.
If you know what to look for—like whether the bird can fly or where it nests—you’ll spot the differences in no time. Curious which birds get confused with penguins the most? Let’s dig in.
Birds Commonly Mistaken for Penguins
A bunch of birds share features with penguins—black and white feathers, upright posture, chunky bodies. Sure, they look similar, but their lifestyles and hangouts are a whole different story. Most of these penguin lookalikes come from the auk family and hang out in the Northern Hemisphere.
Atlantic Puffin vs. Penguin Comparison
People often mix up the Atlantic Puffin with penguins because of its black and white feathers and that bright orange beak. Puffins are tiny—just 10 to 12 inches tall and weighing about 1 to 1.5 pounds. Penguins, even the smaller ones, tend to be bigger.
Puffins live in the North Atlantic, not down south like penguins. They fly like pros, hitting speeds up to 55 miles per hour, while penguins? Nope, they can’t fly. Both swim like champs, but puffins use their wings for both flying and swimming, while penguins rely on their flippers just for the water.
Puffins nest on rocky cliffs. Penguins usually just nest on the ground. And puffin beaks? They change color with the seasons—duller in winter, brighter in spring. Penguins don’t do that.
Check out more about Atlantic puffins and penguins at birds-that-look-like-penguins from BirdWatching.
Common Murre: The ‘Penguin of the North’
The Common Murre (or Guillemot) really nails the penguin look. It’s got the black back, white belly, and even that funny, wobbly walk. You’ll find murres in huge colonies in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
They’re about 15 to 18 inches tall and weigh 2 to 2.5 pounds, so they’re about the size of some smaller penguins like the Adélie. Murres live up north, and they can fly—plus, they use those stubby wings for swimming too.
Murres skip building nests and just lay their big, pointy eggs right on cliff ledges. Penguins lay smaller eggs on the ground. Murres also have thin, long beaks, while penguins’ beaks are shorter and thicker.
For more on common murres, head to birds-that-look-like-penguins from BirdWatching.
Razorbill and Its Striking Resemblance
Razorbills, part of the auk family, could totally pass for penguins at first glance. They’ve got that upright posture and the classic black-and-white look.
One thing that sets them apart is the sharp, grooved beak with a white line running through it—no penguin has that. Razorbills fly and swim really well. Their wings are feathered, while penguins have those slick, broad flippers.
You’ll spot razorbills in the Northern Hemisphere, especially along North Atlantic coasts. They’re actually closer relatives to the extinct Great Auk, which looked a lot like penguins too.
Find out more about razorbills at birds-that-look-like-penguins from BirdWatching.
Little Auk and Other Penguin Lookalikes
Little Auks (Alle alle) are tiny seabirds, and from a distance, people sometimes think they’re baby penguins. They’re less than a pound and only 7.5 to 9 inches long—smaller than even the smallest penguin.
Like puffins and murres, little auks belong to the auk family, and they’re great swimmers and flyers. They gather in big colonies along the North Atlantic’s rocky coasts. Their wings are short but powerful enough for quick flights.
Other penguin lookalikes include several auk species with similar coloring and posture. The Great Auk, which really did look like a penguin, sadly went extinct in the 1800s.
You can read more about little auks and their relatives at birds-that-look-like-penguins from BirdWatching.
How to Distinguish Penguins from Their Lookalikes
You might spot birds that look like penguins but actually belong to totally different families. If you pay attention to their size, how they move, where they live, and their family groups, you’ll be able to tell them apart.
Key Physical and Behavioral Differences
Penguins have thick, smooth flippers and big bodies. Emperor Penguins, for example, can reach up to 45 inches tall and weigh over 80 pounds. Puffins? Much smaller at 10 to 12 inches, with those bright orange beaks and feet during breeding season.
Check out their wings. Penguins can’t fly, but puffins, murres, auklets, and boobies all can. Puffins are especially speedy fliers, reaching up to 55 miles per hour. Murres fly too, but their short wings look a bit awkward on land.
Penguins waddle on land, while birds like the crested or parakeet auklet might walk upright but don’t have that classic penguin waddle. Penguins swim with powerful flippers, while the lookalikes flap their wings underwater but can still take off and fly.
Habitats and Range Around the World
Penguins stick to the Southern Hemisphere. You’ll find them in Antarctica, South America, and a few islands. King and Gentoo Penguins live on sub-Antarctic islands, and African Penguins hang out in South Africa.
Lookalikes like the Atlantic Puffin, Common Murre, and Little Auk stick to the Northern Hemisphere, breeding on rocky cliffs along the North Atlantic. The Blue-footed Booby, which is actually part of the Sulidae family, lives on islands in the tropical eastern Pacific.
So, if you see a penguin lookalike up north, chances are it’s a puffin, murre, or auklet—real penguins just don’t live there.
Seabird Families: Spheniscidae, Alcidae, and Sulidae
Penguins come from Spheniscidae, a family that includes only flightless swimming birds. They use flipper-like wings and dive better than just about any other bird.
You’ll find species like the Emperor Penguin and the Little Penguin in this group.
The Alcidae family covers puffins, murres, and auklets. These birds wear black and white feathers, kind of like penguins, but unlike penguins, they can actually fly.
Puffins grab attention with those colorful beaks. Murres, on the other hand, have slim, dark beaks.
You’ll find boobies, such as the Blue-footed Booby, in the Sulidae family. They show off bright feet and fly with big wings and brown feathers—definitely not the tuxedo style you see on penguins.
