Humboldt Penguin Bird Facts (Spheniscus humboldti)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Humboldt Penguin is characterised by its black back and white front, with a distinctive black band across the chest. Its face, bill, and feet have pink patches of bare skin that help regulate body temperature. The penguin's body is streamlined for efficient swimming.

Juveniles resemble adults but have greyer plumage and lack the defined chest band. There is no significant difference between male and female appearances, making visual sex determination challenging.

Size

Length

65cm to 70cm

Wingspan

75cm to 85cm

Weight

3.4kg to 4.5kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Pink

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Humboldt Penguin can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Humboldt Penguin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Humboldt Penguins inhabit the coastal areas of Peru and Chile along the cold Humboldt Current. They prefer rocky shores and offshore islands with caves and crevices for nesting. These penguins are also found on some beaches with suitable breeding conditions.

While their range is limited to South America, some Humboldt Penguins can be seen in zoos and aquariums worldwide as part of conservation and education programs.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 80 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Humboldt Penguin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Chile Peru

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Colombia Ecuador

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Exceptional underwater agility, capable of swimming at speeds up to 30 km/h and making precise movements to catch fish. While less graceful on land, their ability to navigate both aquatic and terrestrial environments demonstrates remarkable versatility.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Robust build with powerful swimming muscles, enabling deep dives up to 150 metres and sustained underwater hunting. Their strength allows them to catch fast-moving prey and withstand strong ocean currents.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Well-adapted to both marine and terrestrial environments, with specialised features like salt-filtering glands and thermoregulating skin patches. Can breed year-round and adjust to varying conditions, though somewhat vulnerable to environmental changes.

Aggressiveness 45

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally social and peaceful within colonies, showing aggression mainly during territorial disputes and nest defence. Head-swinging displays and vocalisations often serve as non-violent alternatives to physical confrontation.

Endurance 80

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Impressive endurance demonstrated through ability to hold breath for up to 2.5 minutes, make repeated deep dives, and swim long distances for foraging. Their efficient swimming technique and streamlined body shape contribute to outstanding aquatic stamina.

Diet

Humboldt Penguins primarily feed on small schooling fish such as anchovies, sardines, and herring. They also consume squid and crustaceans.

These penguins are pursuit divers, chasing prey underwater and catching it with their sharp, hook-tipped beaks. They can dive up to 150 meters deep in search of food.

Behaviour

Humboldt Penguins are social birds, often seen in large colonies. They are excellent swimmers, using their wings as flippers to 'fly' underwater at speeds up to 30 km/h. On land, they waddle upright or slide on their bellies.

These penguins are known for their head-swinging displays during courtship and territorial disputes.

Vocalisation

Humboldt Penguins produce a variety of vocalisations. Their most common call is a loud, braying sound, often described as a donkey-like 'haw-he, haw-he'.

During courtship, they use softer, more melodious calls. Chicks emit high-pitched peeping sounds to beg for food from their parents.

Nesting & Breeding

Humboldt Penguins form monogamous pairs and breed year-round, with peak activity between March and December. Courtship involves vocalisations, head-swinging displays, and mutual preening.

Nests are built in burrows, caves, or crevices in rocky areas lined with guano and feathers. Females typically lay two eggs per clutch. The eggs are white and slightly larger than chicken eggs.

Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for about 40-42 days. Chicks are cared for by both parents for about 10 weeks before fledging. They reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 years of age.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Vulnerable ^[1]

Humboldt Penguins face threats from overfishing, which reduces their food supply, and entanglement in fishing nets. Climate change and El Niño events disrupt their breeding patterns.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites, regulating fisheries, and establishing marine protected areas to safeguard their habitat and food sources.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

23,800 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Humboldt Penguins along rocky coastlines in Peru and Chile
Observe their distinctive swimming and diving behaviours from coastal viewpoints
Visit protected areas like Punta San Juan in Peru for guaranteed sightings
Bring binoculars to spot their unique facial markings
Join guided tours to responsibly view nesting colonies

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Peruvian Penguin, Patranca

Family:

Spheniscidae

Average Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Max Lifespan

30 years

Predators

Main predators include sea lions, sharks, and orcas in the water, while on land, they face threats from foxes, dogs, and birds of prey targeting eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

Humboldt Penguins can drink seawater thanks to special glands that filter out excess salt.
They can hold their breath for up to 2.5 minutes during deep dives.
These penguins moult all their feathers at once, staying on land for about two weeks during this process.
Fishermen caught a Humboldt Penguin in a net in 2002 in Alaska. The most likely explanation for this extremely rare sighting is that the penguin hitched a ride with the fishing boat, ending up in Alaska. Although they theoretically may be able to live there, there have only been a handful of sightings.