Magellanic Penguin
Spheniscus magellanicus
Fairly common to locally common; often seen in inshore waters and from ferries. Breeds around coasts of southern Chile, Argentina, and in the Falklands; nests in colonies in underground burrows. Only identification concern is limited range overlap in central Chile with Humboldt Penguin, which has single (not double) black breast band, narrower white eyebrow, and big pink patch at base of bill. Immatures of the two species very similar and not always safely identified in the field, but Humboldt often shows big pink patch at base of bill.
Identification
Magellanic penguins are medium-sized penguins which grow to be 61–76 cm (24–30 in) tall and weigh between 2.7 and 6.5 kg (6.0 and 14.3 lb). The males are larger than the females, and the weight of both drops while the parents raise their young.<p>Adults have black backs and white abdomens. There are two black bands between the head and the breast, with the lower band shaped in an inverted horseshoe. The head is black with a broad white border that runs from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin, and joins at the throat. Chicks and younger penguins have grey-blue backs, with a more faded grey-blue colour on their chest. Magellanic penguins can live up to 25 years in the wild, but as much as 30 years in captivity. Captain Eo, a male Magellanic penguin at the San Francisco Zoo, died in 2022 at the age of 40.<p>Young birds usually have a blotched pattern on their feet, which fades as they grow up into adulthood. By the time these birds reach about ten years of age, their feet usually become all black.<p>Like other species of penguins, the Magellanic penguin has very rigid wings used to swim under water.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spheniscus magellanicus
- Authority
- (Forster, JR, 1781)
- Order
- Sphenisciformes
- Family
- Spheniscidae
- Genus
- Spheniscus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- SA : coastal c Chile and c Argentina to Cape Horn and Falkland Is.
- Non-breeding range
- to se Brazil
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
The provincial government of Chubut is committed to the creation of a marine protected area in order to protect the penguins and other marine species near the largest Magellanic breeding colony. The creation of a marine protected area would likely improve the breeding success of the colonies as well as increase prey availability, reduce foraging distance, and increase feeding frequency. The species is classified as Least Concern and decreasing.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Sphyrapicus thyroideus
A boldly patterned woodpecker of mountain forests with mix of conifers and aspen. Male is striking: mostly black with bold white wing patch, two white stripes on face, red throat, and yellow belly. White rump is conspicuous, especially in flight. Female has a brown head and intricate black-and-white barring on the body and wings; the yellow belly can be hard to see. Typically occurs singly or in pairs, often foraging inconspicuously. Moves to lower elevations in migration and winter, occurring in a variety of wooded habitats, often with oaks and conifers. Staccato drumming like other sapsuckers, starting out fast and slowing down with uneven tempo. Also listen for various other rasping calls.
Speckled Chachalaca
Ortalis guttata
Large chickenlike bird, but smaller than guans and curassows. Plain brown with a scaly neck and head, and bare red skin on throat that can be difficult to see. Most commonly found in forest edge habitats, including along rivers and around agricultural areas. Loud, raucous calls are often heard around dawn and dusk, when the calls of one individual often initiate a chorus of calls from other chachalacas in the area.
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher
Melaenornis fischeri
Large, long-tailed flycatcher. The wing and tail are dark gray and the head and underparts paler gray. In the northern portion of the range, shows a huge pale eye-ring; in the south and west, shows a much narrower, grayish eye-ring. Found in montane habitats including forest edge, woodland, and gardens. Often in pairs. Vocalizations include high-pitched whistles and scratchy notes. Subspecies without a bold eye-ring are somewhat like African Dusky Flycatcher, but are larger and grayer. Other gray flycatchers are unlikely to be found in montane habitats.
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