African Penguin vs Resplendent Quetzal
Spheniscus demersus compared with Pharomachrus mocinno
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Penguin | Resplendent Quetzal |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Spheniscus demersus | Pharomachrus mocinno |
| Order | Sphenisciformes | Trogoniformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae | Trogonidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Near Threatened |
| Length | 60.0 cm (23.6 in) | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) |
| Wingspan | 42.0 cm (16.5 in) | 50.0 cm (19.7 in) |
| Weight | 3100.0 g (109.35 oz) | 210.0 g (7.41 oz) |
| Diet | Small schooling fish, especially sardines and anchovies. Forages within 40 km of the colony, diving … | Primarily wild avocados and other laurel family fruits, supplemented with insects, lizards, and frogs. A … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
African Penguin
Rocky coastlines and offshore islands of southern Africa. Nests in burrows, under boulders, or in surface scrapes.
Resplendent Quetzal
Montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters. Requires old-growth forest with dead trees for nesting cavities.
Song & Call Comparison
African Penguin
A loud, donkey-like braying 'waaah-waaah' — hence its nickname 'jackass penguin'. Also gives softer grunts and contact calls at the colony. Highly vocal on breeding beaches.
Resplendent Quetzal
Melodious, repetitive cooing: a series of 'kowee-kowee-kowee' or 'woh-woh-woh-woh' phrases. Male sings from high exposed perches in cloud forest canopy. Evocative highland call.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Penguin
Coastal southwestern Africa from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The only penguin species breeding in Africa.
Resplendent Quetzal
Southern Mexico through Central America to western Panama. Resident in mountain cloud forests.
Conservation Status
African Penguin
Resplendent Quetzal
How to Tell Them Apart
African Penguin
Black upperparts and white underparts with a distinctive black horseshoe-shaped band across the breast. Pink patches of bare skin above the eyes help with thermoregulation.
Sturdy, pointed, black bill with a grey band near the tip
Resplendent Quetzal
Males have iridescent emerald-green upperparts, a crimson-red breast, and extraordinarily long green tail coverts streaming up to 65 cm beyond the tail. Females are duller with grey breasts.
Short, broad, bright yellow bill partially hidden by green feathers
About These Birds
African Penguin
The African penguin is the only penguin species native to the African continent, also called the jackass penguin for its donkey-like braying call. Their population has plummeted over 95% since pre-industrial times due to egg collection, oil spills, and competition with commercial fisheries for sardine and anchovy stocks.
Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal was considered divine by the Maya and Aztec civilizations, associated with the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl. Its iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers make it one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Guatemala's currency is named after this bird.