Humboldt Penguin

Vulnerable

Spheniscus humboldti

A charming penguin species that waddles through the chilly coasts of South America, swimming up to 20 miles per day in search of anchovies and squid.

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

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

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

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Breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 70
Adaptability 75
Aggressiveness 45
Endurance 80

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.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 15 - 20 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 30 years
0
8
16
24
32

years

The Humboldt Penguin typically lives for 15 to 20 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 30 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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

Decreasing[3]

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

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?

  1. Humboldt Penguins can drink seawater thanks to special glands that filter out excess salt.
  2. They can hold their breath for up to 2.5 minutes during deep dives.
  3. These penguins moult all their feathers at once, staying on land for about two weeks during this process.
  4. 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.

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References

  1. 1 2 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2020. Spheniscus humboldti. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22697817A182714418.

    View source