| Size |
Between 26-28 inches long |
| Weight |
They weigh 8-13 pounds |
| Conservation Status |
On the 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Humboldt penguin is listed as Vulnerable. |
| Diet |
In the wild, Humboldt penguins eat small schooling fish like anchovies and sardines.
In the Zoo, they receive five types of fish. Their diet is based on the calories needed for different stages of life along with a variety of supplemental vitamins. They are fed three times a day at the Zoo. Trout and silversides seem to be their favorite fish, although their preferences do change at different times of the year. |
| Geographic Range |
The Humboldt penguin is found on the west coast of South America along the coast of Chile and Peru in the region of the cold water Humboldt current. |
| Where to find me in the Zoo |
Bird Valley |
Note: Description below should include Longevity, Behavior, and Reproduction information
The Humboldt penguin is mostly blackish-gray in color with a white breast. The adults have a black horseshoe shaped band on the breast and a white head stripe. They are between 26 and 28 inches long and weigh 8-13 pounds. Males are slightly larger than females. The Humboldt penguin has a strong and powerful bill that is black with a gray transverse bar and a hooked tip. Their flipper is a modified wing that lacks flight feathers. When on land they look ungainly, but in the water they are amazing streamlined swimmers.
Humboldt penguins nest on islands or on rocky stretches of mainland coast, especially in areas with cliffs.
Humboldt penguins live an average of 10 years but birds in captivity can live longer than 20 years.
The penguins breed in large colonies known as rookeries. They use their feet to excavate burrows or nest in caves or natural crevices. Their nests are lined with feathers and are constructed by the male. They will breed any time of year, and females usually lay a clutch of two or rarely three eggs. The eggs are laid about three days apart. Incubation is 40 days and is done by both parents. Both parents also feed the chicks by regurgitation. One of the largest known breeding colonies is found at Punta San Juan, Peru.
Humboldt penguins are intensely social and gregarious and are usually found in groups. They have superb swimming skills, which rivals seals and porpoises.
The wings of the Humboldt penguin have evolved into flippers that propel them through the water. Their stiff, close-packed feathers overlap for better insulation and water proofing, and their bodies are highly streamlined to ease their passage through water.
Click here to ADOPT this animal!
There are 23 Humboldt penguins at the Zoo: 13 males, 9 females and 1 chick. In the 2009 season, five chicks were successfully hatched.
Shamrock: Male, hatched March 17, 2009.
Unnamed: Female, hatched March 19, 2009.
Jamaican Me Crazy: Male, hatched April 9, 2009.
Wallee: Female, hatched April 12, 2009.
Slurpee: Unknown, hatched April 13, 2009.
Enrichment
Adoption Information
Featured Foster Parent
Fun Facts
Humboldt penguins have superb swimming skills, which rivals seals and porpoises.
The wings of the Humboldt penguin have evolved into flippers that propel them through the water, and their feathers are stiff and closely packed to serve as insulation and waterproofing.
Both male and female Humboldt penguins share parental responsibilities; they both participate in incubation and feeding their chicks.
Conservation
Introductions
Animal Lingo
Want More?