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
Brown-backed Honeyeater
Ramsayornis modestus
Small and brown with mostly white underparts; bill pinkish; clear, thin white line under the eye. Juvenile has brown streaking on the breast, whereas adults have subtle brown scalloping. Often found in flowering trees near or overhanging water, this species occupies a wide variety of coastal habitats in far northeast Australia and New Guinea.
Olive-tree Warbler
Hippolais olivetorum
Large warbler with long wings. Pale olive-gray overall with whitish underparts. Bill is long and thick with prominent pale orange-yellow lower mandible. Also note the prominent pale mid-wing panel. The tail is long and dark gray, but the tail is not as impressive as in Upcher's Warbler. Much slower-moving than the smaller Hippolais or Iduna species as it hops in bushes and trees. Breeds in open woodlands, Mediterranean scrub, and orchards. During the non-breeding season, found in various habitats including arid zones. Song is a jumbled series of somewhat deep, throaty notes. Call is a deep “chack.”
Snowy-crowned Tern
Sterna trudeaui
Attractive but often rather local tern of southern South America. Favors shallow coastal waters, but also ranges inland locally along rivers and lakes. Often associates with other terns on beaches and at river mouths. All plumages have diagnostic white head with narrow blackish mask and reddish legs. Breeding adult has an orange bill with a black-and-yellow tip. Nonbreeding birds have a black bill with a small yellow tip. Immature birds have a black bill with little or no pale tip.
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