Medium size penguin (67 -72 cm length; 4,2 – 5,0 Kg), similar to the other
members of the genus Spheniscus, but can be differentiated as they are the only
members of the genus that posses large fleshy margins at the base of the bill.
Head mostly blackish-grey, having white chins and a narrow white supercilium
stripe extending from the bill, broadening at the junction with their white
breast. Dorsal parts of the body, flippers, legs, the feet and tail tend to be
blackish-grey, most of the under-parts white.
Marine, nests in islands or in rocky mainland coasts. Normally, small colonies
on beaches, cliff tops or dirt planes, under guano, or under vegetation. Nests
are usually in holes or caves
All year round, where resources are available and abundant. In Punta San Juan
reproduction occurs from March to December with two prominent reproductive peaks
in April/May and August/September. In Chile there are also 2 reproductive peaks,
but offset by a month (May, October). Females lay two eggs, of similar sizes and
four days apart. Incubation for 40-42 days, hatching asynchronycal. First
reproduction at 3-4 years old.
Pelagic predator. Main prey species are pelagic school fishes and squids,
including anchovies (Engraulis ringens), silversides (Odontesthes regia),
cephalopods and crustaceans.
“Vulnerable” (IUCN Red List 2018), on the basis of extreme population size
fluctuations, and decreasing population trend, and its populations undergone
extreme fluctuations in numbers. Main threats are overfishing, and incidental
mortality in fishing nets.
De la Puente, S., Bussalleu, A., Cardeña, M., Valdés-Velásquez, A., Majluf, P
and Simeone, A. 2013. Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). In PENGUINS:
NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION (García Borboroglu, P.G. and Boersma P.D. eds.)
UW Press, Seattle U.S.A. eds.) University of Washington Press, Seattle U.S.A.
328 pp.
