Spheniscus magellanicus
Magellanic Penguins are medium-sized penguins with distinctive black and white plumage. They have a black back and head, with a white belly and a horseshoe-shaped band of white feathers extending from their throat to behind their eyes.
Adults have two black bands across their chest, while juveniles have a single, less defined band. Their flippers are black on the outer side and white underneath, adapted for swimming rather than flying.
Length
60cm to 75cm
Wingspan
76cm to 91cm
Weight
2.7kg to 6.5kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Secondary Colour
Grey Pink
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black Pink
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Magellanic Penguins inhabit the coasts and offshore islands of southern South America, including Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. They prefer temperate to cool coastal waters and breed on rocky or sandy shores with sparse vegetation.
During non-breeding seasons, these penguins migrate northward, sometimes reaching as far as Brazil and Peru. They spend much of their time at sea, coming ashore mainly for breeding and moulting.
Sea level to 85 meters
Temperate, Subantarctic
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Magellanic Penguin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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