Magellanic Penguin

Spheniscus magellanicus

Photo by Peter Bono
This pair of braying penguins were just two of the 500 seen along the boardwalk at the Seno Otway colony near Punta Arenas, Chile, in February 2003.

Identification

70cm. Black-grey above and white below. Head black with broad white band from bill-base, black throat. Narrow black horseshoe band on breast extending down flanks to thigh area. Bill black with grey band and narrow fleshy margin at base, feet black.

Distribution

Chile and Falkland Islands

Habitat

Grassy islands, woodlands, sandhills and coastal bluffs

Behaviour

Nests in burrows in guano or sand, holes among rocks. The nest is lined with leaves, feathers and small stones. 1-2, chalky-white eggs are laid and are incubated by both sexes and young tended by both sexes.

Diet includes small fish, particularly pilchards and anchovies, also cuttlefish and squid.

External Links

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