African Penguin

African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus

Endangered
Panjang
60,0 cm
Rentang Sayap
42,0 cm
Berat
3100,0 g
Famili
Spheniscidae
Ordo
Sphenisciformes

Recognizable by the single black horseshoe-shaped band across its white breast, the African Penguin is the only penguin to breed on the African continent, along the southwestern coast from Namibia to Port Elizabeth. Pink patches of bare skin above the eyes help it shed heat in a warmer climate than most penguins endure. It forages within about 40 km of the colony, diving to depths of up to 130 metres after sardines and anchovies. Pairs nest in burrows, beneath boulders, or in surface scrapes on rocky coastlines and offshore islands, incubating two eggs for around 38 days; chicks fledge at 70 to 80 days. Its loud, donkey-like braying earned the nickname 'jackass penguin', and breeding beaches ring with grunts and contact calls. Dependent on dwindling fish stocks, the species is classified as Endangered.

Tentang

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.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 60,0 cm 23.6 in
Rentang Sayap 42,0 cm 16.5 in
Berat 3100,0 g 109.35 oz

Identifikasi

Bulu

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.

Paruh

Sturdy, pointed, black bill with a grey band near the tip

Habitat & Range

Rocky coastlines and offshore islands of southern Africa. Nests in burrows, under boulders, or in surface scrapes.

Rentang Geografis

Coastal southwestern Africa from Namibia to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The only penguin species breeding in Africa.

Diet & Feeding

Small schooling fish, especially sardines and anchovies. Forages within 40 km of the colony, diving to depths of up to 130 meters.

Status Konservasi

Endangered
IUCN Red List

Perilaku & Berkembang Biak

Bersarang

Nest type: BU. Incubation: 38 days. Fledging: 70-80 days.

Ukuran Sarang

2

Suara

Kicauan

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.

Taksonomi

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordo Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Famili Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus Spheniscus
Spesies Spheniscus demersus

Names in Other Languages

Language Name
German Brillenpinguin
Spanish Pingüino Africano

Distribution

African Penguin has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Hadir Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Pertanyaan yang Sering Diajukan

What does the African Penguin eat?
Small schooling fish, especially sardines and anchovies. Forages within 40 km of the colony, diving to depths of up to 130 meters.
Where does the African Penguin live?
Rocky coastlines and offshore islands of southern Africa. Nests in burrows, under boulders, or in surface scrapes.
Is the African Penguin endangered?
The African Penguin has a conservation status of Endangered.
How does the African Penguin nest?
Nest type: BU. Incubation: 38 days. Fledging: 70-80 days.
What does the African Penguin sound like?
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.
How big is the African Penguin?
The African Penguin has a body length of 60.0 cm, wingspan of 42.0 cm, weight of 3100.0 g.
What order and family does the African Penguin belong to?
The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) belongs to the order Sphenisciformes and the family Spheniscidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Spheniscidae family

Bandingkan

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