Magellanic Penguin
- Status
- Critically Endangered
- Endangered
- This animal is currently Least Concern
- Near Threatened
- Vulnerable
Magellanic Penguin
Spheniscus magellanicus
The largest of the warm weather penguins, Magellanic penguins are known for their distinctive black and white markings. This species of penguin was named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. He and his crew were the first to spot the penguins in 1520. The Magellanic penguin’s closest relatives are the Galapagos, Humboldt, and African penguins.
Though classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Magellanic penguins face threats from oil spills, overfishing, and climate change. As the climate warms, penguins are forced to search further for food; storms and other climate change-fueled weather events also pose a threat to baby penguins and food sources. Guano mining—the process of collecting bat and sea bird excrement for use in agriculture as fertilizer—also poses a threat to nesting sites.
Magellanic penguins are monogamous, breeding in pairs once a year. During breeding season—which typically begins in September—they will build nests along the rocky, sandy beaches of the coast. The penguins dig tunnels in soft soil using their bills, flippers, and feet, adding twigs, leaves, and grass to reinforce the nest. Egg-laying typically occurs in October. Females usually lay two eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs.
What are they like?
Physical Description: Magellanic penguins are roughly 2.5 feet tall and weigh 6-15 pounds. They are black and white and have two black stripes across their chest unlike other temperate penguin species. They have different markings on their chest that are unique to each individual.
Life Span: In the wild, Magellanic penguins live on average 10-25 years. In zoos, they can live for 30-35 years.
Diet: Magellanic penguins eat a diet of fish, squid, and krill in the wild.
Social Structure: These penguins are monogamous and nest in very large colonies. They hunt in large groups as well.
Habitat: Magellanic penguins are native to South America, found building nests along the rocky, sandy beaches of the southernmost coasts for half the year and spending the other half of the year at sea.
Where do they live?
Magellanic penguins are native to South America, particularly Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands.
Argentina, Chile, & the Falkland Islands
Did you know?
- Magellanic penguins have 300 times more feathers than flying birds of the same size. They spend up to three hours a day preening their feathers to keep themselves clean.
- Their black and white coloration is an adaptation to help them camouflage. It is called counter-shading and makes them hard to see by their predators and prey. When they are in the water, if you look up, their white bellies blend in with the light and if you are looking down on them, their black backs blend in with the dark ocean.
- The largest colony of Magellanic Penguins is found in Punta Tombo in Argentina. There are more than 200,000 breeding pairs.
- Each penguin’s voice is unique and they make different vocalizations, some which sound like a donkey braying. Monogamous pairs are able to identify the call of their mate, so they can find each other during breeding season amongst the large colony of penguins.
- Magellanic penguins have excellent eyesight and are good hunters. They can dive 20-50m to find their food.
