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;Spheniscus demersus | ;Spheniscus demersus | ||
[[Image:Jackass_Penguin.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Mark Bruce]] | [[Image:Jackass_Penguin.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Mark Bruce]] | ||
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Also known as African Penguin. | Also known as African Penguin. | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Jackass Penguin | Jackass Penguin | ||
Spheniscus demersus | Spheniscus demersus | ||
| − | + | Blackish-grey above and white below. Head and throat blackish with a white band from the bill-base over the eye to meet white of underparts on sides of neck. Broad, black horseshoe band on white underparts extending down flanks is distinctive but there may occasionally be a partial or complete second band thus resembling Magellanic Penguin S. magellanicus from South America, not recorded in African waters. Bill black with greyish bar and bare pink skin at bill-base extending to around eye, feet greyish-black. The only Spheniscus penguin in range. | |
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Length 60-70cm. | Length 60-70cm. | ||
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Voice Loud braying call uttered mostly at night. | Voice Loud braying call uttered mostly at night. | ||
| − | + | ==Distribution== | |
| + | Coasts of southern Africa from the central coast of Namibia to Maputo Bay in Mozambique. Breeding is confined to offshore islands of Namibia and South Africa but non-breeders may wander north to Angolan waters and further north off Mozambique. | ||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | Breeds year-round in burrows on dry sandy and rocky islands and returns to islands to roost. Gregarious and feeds within 50km of shore, usually within 10km. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Colonial breeder on offshore islands. Nests in burrows in guano or sand, holes among rocks etc. Some nest above ground building nests of stones and local debris. Eggs: two, sometimes 1, chalky-white, laid all year with peaks in June and November/December (67 x 52mm). Incubated for 38-41 days by both sexes. Young fed by both sexes and leave breeding island at about 85 days. | ||
DIET Small fish, particularly pilchards and anchovies, also squid and crustaceans. | DIET Small fish, particularly pilchards and anchovies, also squid and crustaceans. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=jackass+penguin View more images of Jackass Penguin in the gallery] | *[http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showgallery.php?mcats=all&what=allfields&si=jackass+penguin View more images of Jackass Penguin in the gallery] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 09:58, 4 June 2007
- Spheniscus demersus
Also known as African Penguin.
Identification
Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus Blackish-grey above and white below. Head and throat blackish with a white band from the bill-base over the eye to meet white of underparts on sides of neck. Broad, black horseshoe band on white underparts extending down flanks is distinctive but there may occasionally be a partial or complete second band thus resembling Magellanic Penguin S. magellanicus from South America, not recorded in African waters. Bill black with greyish bar and bare pink skin at bill-base extending to around eye, feet greyish-black. The only Spheniscus penguin in range.
Length 60-70cm.
Voice Loud braying call uttered mostly at night.
Distribution
Coasts of southern Africa from the central coast of Namibia to Maputo Bay in Mozambique. Breeding is confined to offshore islands of Namibia and South Africa but non-breeders may wander north to Angolan waters and further north off Mozambique.
Habitat
Breeds year-round in burrows on dry sandy and rocky islands and returns to islands to roost. Gregarious and feeds within 50km of shore, usually within 10km.
Behaviour
Colonial breeder on offshore islands. Nests in burrows in guano or sand, holes among rocks etc. Some nest above ground building nests of stones and local debris. Eggs: two, sometimes 1, chalky-white, laid all year with peaks in June and November/December (67 x 52mm). Incubated for 38-41 days by both sexes. Young fed by both sexes and leave breeding island at about 85 days. DIET Small fish, particularly pilchards and anchovies, also squid and crustaceans.
