African Penguin
Spheniscus demersus
Aves › Sphenisciformes › Spheniscidae › Spheniscus
Conservation status: endangered
The African penguin is a small, distinctive penguin found only along the coasts of southern Africa, recognizable by its black and white coloring with a unique black facial mask and pink patch around the eye. These penguins are excellent swimmers that hunt fish and squid in the cold Atlantic waters, and they're famous for their loud braying calls that earned them the nickname "jackass penguins."
How To Identify
These small penguins are striking black and white birds, easily identifiable by their distinctive bright orange patches on their flippers. They possess a streamlined body form perfectly suited for efficient swimming.
Habitat
Rocky coastlines and islands of southern Africa; forages up to 100 km offshore.
Behaviour
The African Penguin is monogamous, meaning pairs return to the same nesting burrow each year and share incubation duties.
Native Range
The African Penguin is native to Africa and Southern Africa.
Did You Know?
African Penguins make a distinctive braying call, earning them the nickname "jackass penguin".
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