A medium-sized penguin was found along the coasts of Peru and Chile, where the cool Humboldt Current provides rich fishing grounds. What makes this species unique among penguins is its ability to thrive in warmer climates compared to its Antarctic cousins. Instead of ice and snow, these penguins live on rocky shores, guano cliffs, and coastal caves, where they dig burrows or use natural crevices to protect their eggs from the scorching sun and predators. Like a tuxedo, their black-and-white plumage helps camouflage them—dark on top to blend with the ocean depths and white underneath to hide from predators looking up from below.

A distinct feature of the Humboldt penguin is the black horseshoe-shaped band across its chest and belly, which sets it apart from similar species like the Magellanic penguin. They also have a bare patch of pink skin around their eyes and beak, which helps them release heat and stay cool in their warmer environment. They are smaller than emperor penguins but are incredibly agile swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph) underwater. Their streamlined bodies and powerful flippers make them superb hunters, feasting mostly on anchovies, sardines, and other small fish.

Humboldt penguins are also known for their social and somewhat noisy behavior. They live in colonies where they communicate with loud, braying calls that sound like donkeys—earning them the nickname “donkey penguins.” They are monogamous, often forming lifelong pairs, and both parents share duties of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. This teamwork is crucial because raising chicks in their challenging coastal environment requires constant care. Unlike Antarctic penguins, Humboldt penguins must guard their nests from predators like gulls and foxes, as well as human disturbances.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Chile

2020

Breeding

Colombia

2020

Non-Breeding

Ecuador

2020

Non-Breeding

Peru

2020

Breeding

United States

2020

Non-Breeding: Alaska