Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Spheniscus
Species: Magellanicus
Unlike most penguins, the Magellanic penguin does not always live in the cold. The penguins nest in large groups called colonies along the coast of South America during the winter. These penguins migrate, but they nest in Argentina. Along the rocky beaches are many penguin nests. Each nest usually has two eggs. The parents take turns sitting on the eggs and feeding the chicks while the other parent hunts for fish in the nearby ocean, sometimes for as long as 15 days.
Here are some characteristics of the Magellanic penguin:
• The normal lifespan is 15-20 years.
• They eat cuttlefish, sardines and squid.
• They weigh 5.9 to 14 pounds.
• They are usually between 24 and 30 inches tall.
• They are endangered.
• They hunt in flocks.
• They hunt as far off as 620 miles from shore.
• They have a white belly and dark back.
• A thick black band runs around the belly.
• They also nest in Chile.
• When the weather is very warm, they lose the feathers around their eyes.
• Their feathers are waterproof.
• They have a black bill that is hooked to help catch prey.
These penguins are endangered because of where they live. There are no natural predators around their rocky beaches, but oil spills can be very dangerous. The oil is toxic to animals, and if it spills around the nesting sites, entire colonies can be covered. Sometimes zoos will adopt the orphaned or injured penguins. Recently colonies have also struggled because there is not enough fish in the ocean for them to eat. Many people and scientists are working hard to help protect and save these cute little penguins, though.
