Galápagos Penguin

Galápagos Penguin

Galapagos penguin, Galápagos penguin

4 languages
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Spheniscus mendiculus
Population size
1,200
Life Span
15-20 yrs
Weight
2-4 kg
Height
48-50 cm
Length
53 cm

The Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus ) is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. It is the only penguin found north of the equator. Most inhabit Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island. The cool waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents allow it to survive despite the tropical latitude. The Galápagos penguin is one of the banded penguins, the other species of which live mostly on the coasts of Africa and mainland South America. It is one of the smallest species of penguin in the world. Because of their warm environment, Galápagos penguins have developed techniques to stay cool. The feathers on their back, flippers, and head are black, and they have a white belly and a stripe looping from their eyes down to their neck and chin. Each penguin keeps only one mate, and breeds year-round. Their nests are typically in caves and crevices as protection against predators and the harsh environment. The Galápagos penguin has a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years, but due to predation, life expectancy in the wild could be significantly reduced.

Di

Diurnal

Ca

Carnivore

Pi

Piscivores

Se

Semiaquatic

Fl

Flightless bird

Al

Altricial

Bu

Burrowing

Is

Island endemic

Na

Natatorial

Te

Terrestrial

Te

Territorial

Co

Congregatory

Ov

Oviparous

Mo

Monogamy

So

Social

Co

Colonial

No

Not a migrant

G

starts with

Appearance

The smallest warm-weather penguin, this bird has black plumage with a white-colored frontal area as well as white spots around the body. The black head of the Galápagos penguin features white markings on both sides of the head, stretching down from above each eye, circling back, and descending to the neck. Below these head markings, the bird has a small collar of black-colored feathers, fading away towards the back. Then, below this black collar, the penguin has a white streak, extending across the length of the body, in both directions. And finally, the bird has a black band, stretching below and in parallel with the white streak. The feet of the Galápagos penguin are dark and the beak is slender.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Islands
Biogeographical realms

These penguins inhabit the Galápagos Islands, off the western coast of Ecuador. The species is found along the coastlines of the Galápagos archipelago, but the highest concentration of the penguins is on Fernandina Island as well as the west coast of Isabela Island. These birds construct their nests in sheltered coastal areas. Galápagos penguins can be seen resting on both rocky and sandy beaches.

Galápagos Penguin habitat map

Climate zones

Galápagos Penguin habitat map
Galápagos Penguin
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Habits and Lifestyle

Due to the temperate waters of their range, Galápagos penguins are non-migratory, living in the same area throughout the year. They are social birds, gathering into large colonies, where they hunt together as well as find protection from predators. When the weather gets too hot, the penguins stretch out their flippers to cool off. In order to prevent their feet from getting sunburned on land, they usually hold their flippers over their feet, protecting them from direct rays. At the sunrise, these diurnal penguins leave their burrows, spending their time eating, socializing with members of their colony, caring for the chicks, and playing in the water. At the sunset, the birds return back to their burrows by marching.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

These birds are carnivores (piscivores), consuming small marine invertebrates as well as all small species of fish, including mullets, sardines, pilchards, and anchovies.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round, peak in May-July
INCUBATION PERIOD
38-40 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
3-6 months
FEMALE NAME
hen
MALE NAME
cock
BABY NAME
chick, nestling
web.animal_clutch_size
1-2 eggs

These penguins have a monogamous mating system, forming lifelong pairs. Galápagos penguins mate all year round with a peak period, lasting from May to July. These birds typically build their nests in caves or volcanic-formed hollows, where the eggs can be protected from the sunlight. The female lays 1-2 eggs, which are incubated by both parents during 38-40 days. Meanwhile, if both eggs hatch, the parents will raise only a single chick. During the incubation period as well as after hatching, one of the parents stays with the eggs or hatchling, and the other leaves the nest to forage. For the first month of its life, the chick is cared by both parents, after which they leave the baby on its own, going to sea. Fledging occurs at about 60 days of age. Galápagos penguins are completely independent at 3-6 months old. Reproductive maturity is reached at 4-6 years old for males and at 3-4 years for females.

Population

Population threats

Galápagos penguins are exposed to global climate change. They are threatened by their natural predators as well as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which decreases the amount of shoaling fish, which, in turn, reduces reproduction success and brings starvation. In addition, the birds are occasionally drowned in fisheries and suffer from oil spills.

Population number

Presently, the population of Galápagospenguin is decreasing, being estimated at 1,200 mature individuals throughout the area of their habitat. For this reason, on the IUCN Red List, the species is classified as Endangered(EN).

Ecological niche

Preying on a wide variety of marine organisms, these penguins control numbers of these species populations in the coastal waters of the Galápagos archipelago. In addition, these penguins are important prey species for other marine and avian predators of the area.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin species, living on the equator.
  • This penguin has the lowest population number among all penguins in the world.
  • For security reasons, they typically enter and leave the sea in groups: moving around as a group allows individual penguins not to catch the attention of predators.
  • When in water, these penguins are exceptionally fast swimmers, able to propel themselves as high as over 7 ft (2 m) above water. They use the so-called “porpoising” technique, cueing through waves and reminding dolphins or porpoises.
  • Galápagos penguins prefer areas with low water temperature and high air temperature, spending the greater part of the day in the water. Here the animals forage and hide from the scorching sun.
  • These birds mate only once, intending to remain together throughout their lives. Preening each other as well as taping each other with their bills is a common behavior in mated pairs, helping them enhance their relationship.
  • Because of their short legs and small wings, these birds are not able to balance while on land, so they walk with a waddling gait and outstretched wings.
  • These penguins molt twice a year, undergoing 13-days molting periods.

References

1. Galapagos Penguin Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galapagos_penguin
2. Galapagos Penguin on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22697825/0

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