- Spheniscus demersus
Identification
Also known as African Penguin.
60-70cm. 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. Bill black with greyish bar and bare pink skin at bill-base extending to around eye, feet greyish-black.
Voice Loud braying call uttered mostly at night.
Distribution
Coasts of southern Africa from the central coast of Namibia to Mozambique.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Dry sandy and rocky islands and returns to islands to roost.
Behaviour
It builds its nest in guano or sand and 1-2 chalky white eggs are laid which are incubated by both parents for 38-41 days.
Diet includes small fish, particularly pilchards and anchovies, also squid and crustaceans.
