Humboldt Penguin

Humboldt Penguin Latest News

Recently, Chilean scientists warned of further risks to the world’s shrinking population of Humboldt penguins.

About Humboldt Penguin

• The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) belongs to a genus that is commonly known as the ‘banded’ group.
• They are so named because their habitat is located near the Humboldt Current, a large oceanic upwelling characterised by cold waters.
• Distribution: Humboldt penguins are endemic to the Pacific coasts of Chile and Peru. Chile’s Pacific coast is home to 80% of the world’s remaining Humboldt penguins,
• Appearance:
  • They have large, bare skin patches around their eyes, an adaptation to help keep them cool, according to the Smithsonian Institute.
  • They are a medium-sized species with an average height of just over 2 ft.

• Breeding season: Their breeding season in the wild is either March-April or September-October depending on the location of the colony.
• Humboldt penguins are monogamous and recognize their partner in the colony through distinct vocal cues. 
• Threats: Competition for food from commercial fishing as well as habitat loss, pollution, bird flu and the worsening impacts of climate change have contributed to declining numbers.

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Conservation Status of Humboldt Penguin

• IUCN: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I

Source: DD News