African Penguin - Spheniscus DemersusAlso known as Jackass or Black Footed Penguin |
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Distinguishing features |
African Penguins have a broad black band that runs in an inverted horseshoe shape around their fronts. The chest is dotted with a few black spots in a random pattern. African Penguins are similar to Humboldt Penguins, the main differences are that the Humboldt penguins are heavier, have proportionately longer flippers and a narrower white band on the head. | ||
| Alternative names | It is only recently that the name "African penguin" has become widely accepted. Previously African penguins were known as "Black-footed penguins", "Jackass penguins" or "Cape penguins". These older names are not recommended; African penguins do not have entirely black feet, all the Spheniscid penguins have been called "Jackass" at some time in the past, and the African penguins are not exclusively found around the Cape. | ||
Height |
African Penguins stand 60 cm tall | ||
Weight |
Weight varies through the year from 2.5 to 4 kg. | ||
Breeding locations |
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Nesting behaviour |
Nests are built well apart usually under bushes. Two eggs are laid and in good years both chicks are reared. Incubation takes 38 to 41 days shared equally between both parents in shifts of 1 to 3 days. Chicks are brooded and guarded for 40 days after hatching with feeding and guard duties shared between the parents. Chicks moult and go to sea when 70 to 100 days old. | ||
Principal diet |
African penguins eat mostly fish supplemented by a few percent of crustaceans. | ||
Penguins of the World Pauline Reilly, OUP, Oxford, 1994.
The Penguins Tony D Williams, OUP, Oxford, 1995.
