Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus humboldti

HABITAT: This South American penguin, named after Alexander von Humboldt a naturalist and explorer who first described the animal to the scientific community, is only found on the West Coast of Chile and Peru in the region of the cold water Humboldt current.  Humboldt Penguins nest on islands and rocky coasts especially in areas with cliffs. 

DESCRIPTION Humboldt Penguins are medium-sized penguins, growing to 65-70 cm tall and weigh in at an average 3.6-5.9 kg.  Mostly blackish-grey in colour with a white breast, the adults have a black horseshoe shaped band on the breast and a white head stripe.  They have a fleshy-pink base to a strong powerful bill with a hooked tip. Juveniles have dark heads and no breast-band.   Penguins are carnivores, fish and crustacean eaters, and will regularly swim 9 miles out to sea to find food often much greater distances and will eat 20-25% of their body weight every day. Humboldt penguins eat small schooling fish like anchovies and sardines.

STATUS: This penguin is declining in numbers caused in part by over-fishing, removal of guano (which it burrows into for nesting) for fertilizer. Penguins are also declining in numbers due to habitat destruction. The current population is estimated at approximately 3,300.