Birds · Sphenisciformes · Spheniscidae

Magellanic Penguin

Spheniscus magellanicus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The Magellanic penguin, also called the Patagonian penguin, is a bird of the penguin family (Spheniscidae) that nests in the Falkland Islands and on the coasts and islands of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile, migrating north in winter and reaching the milder waters of Uruguay and south-eastern Brazil, and occurring as a vagrant in Australia, Peru, Colombia and other South Atlantic islands. It is the most numerous member of the genus Spheniscus. The other species in this genus are the African penguin, the Humboldt penguin and the Galápagos penguin.

Weight

3.8 kg – 4.5 kg

Size

61 cm – 76 cm

Lifespan

30 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

OceanCarnivore Diurnal Colonial Bird Ocean

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Fun facts

GeneralIt nests in burrows; the Punta Tombo colony holds some 200,000 pairs.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Coasts of Patagonia and the cold waters of the South Atlantic and South Pacific
Sexual maturity: 2.8 years
Gestation / incubation: 40 days
Litter / clutch size: 1

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spheniscus_magellanicus

Where to find it

See its range on the interactive map

Best time: From October to February: laying takes place between mid-October and mid-November and the young fledge in February; by late April the colonies are deserted