Humboldt Penguin

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.

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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