Description
& Characteristics:
Magellanic penguins inhabit the cold temperate waters and
subantarctic regions of coastal Chile and Argentina. Significant
breeding populations are located on Juan Fernandez Islands,
Staten Island, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falklands. Magellanics
are often found in association with Humboldt penguins and
although they do not interbreed, distinguishing between the
two is sometimes difficult. Magellanic penguin populations
are considered to be stable, however, they do face threats
from oil spills, overfishing of their food supply, and fishing
net entanglement.
Like
its three other closely related relatives in the Spheniscus
genus, the Magellanic penguin has black-to-brown shading on
its back and white coloring on its breast and trunk. Their
chests have scattered black spots. The Magellanic can be distinguished
from Humboldt and African penguins by the two bands crossing
its front. One band is a wide black strip under the chin and
another is in the shape of an upside down horseshoe on the
stomach. In Humboldts, this band is somewhat incomplete and
in Africans it is absent. Magellanic Penguins have very dense
feathers: more than 70 per square inch. The feathers have
oil on them, for waterproofing. Their 'tuxedo' attire not
only gives them a somewhat comical air, but it also helps
hide them from predators. The white belly blends in with the
bright sun on land, while the black back blends in with the
dark ocean waves.
Magellanic
penguins are excellent long distance swimmers, and often hunt
in groups to aid in catching prey. Using their wings like
paddles they can achieve speeds of over 15 miles per hour.
Their diet consists of krill, fish, squid, and other small
seafoods caught on relatively shallow pursuit dives.
Breeding
season for the Magellanic penguins is from late September
to early February when adults come to shore to establish nesting
sites within loose colonies. Naturally shy and seclusive on
land, mated pairs nest in deep burrows (often hiding there
when disturbed) where the female lays two eggs. Both the male
and female share in the responsibility of caring for the chicks,
often taking shifts lasting ten to fifteen days while the
other hunts for food. The eggs take five to six weeks to hatch
and the chicks will stay in the burrow for another month when
they will molt into their adult feathers. At 60 to 70 days
old the chicks are ready to head out to sea.
Magellanic
penguins are occasionally preyed upon by the Southern sea
lion. Unguarded or abandoned chicks and eggs fall prey to
the Kelp gull
and the Giant petrel.
