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Humboldt Penguin

Humboldt Penguins

Spheniscus humboldti
The Humboldt Penguin is a member of the banded group of penguins.
Common Name: Humboldt Penguin; Peruvian Penguin
Scientific name: Spheniscus humboldti
Population: 16,000 breeding pairs
Weight and height: 4.2 kg – 5.0 kg, 67 cm – 72 cm
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Conservation status: Vulnerable
Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Breeding Range: Chile; Peru
Prey/diet: Anchovies, silversides, jack mackerel, Patagonian squid, Southern Ocean squid, Humboldt squid, crustaceans
Distinguishing physical characteristics: Head is black with a thin white band extending from above the eye, down each side of the head to the throat and running further down the sides of the body to the legs. A single wide black band runs in an upside-down U shape across the breast and down to the legs. Black spots are scattered across the breast. Bill is black with a gray vertical stripe. Bare pink patches of skin are present at the base of the bill and extend to the eyes. Legs and feet are black, eye is reddish brown.

Fun Fact:

Humboldt Penguin populations were first devastated by the mining of guano deposits for use as fertilizer, in which the species prefers to nest.

Current Conservation Status

Population trends:

Decreasing arrow

Humboldt Penguin Conservation Status:

Vulnerable

Range Map:

Get more penguin information at the links below

Read through related blogs from our penguin experts for more information on Humboldt Penguins:
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