African penguin

Description:

One of 17 penguin species, the African penguin, also known as the Jackass penguin for its donkey-like bray, is the only penguin species to occur naturally on the African continent and is found nowhere else in the world. The adult African penguin has a black back and a white belly with a black chin and face patch separated from the crown by a broad white band. They have a narrow black band across the chest, in the shape of an upside down U, which goes from the chest down the outsides of the legs. They have hazel eyes and there is a bare, pinkish patch above each eye. Each penguin has its own unique pattern of scattered black speckles/spots on their chest and belly - it is their version of fingerprints. They have a black bill with a pale horn band just behind the tip. Their legs and feet are black, variably blotched with pink. African penguins have an average height of between 50 to 70cm with an average weight of 2.1 to 3.7kg.

Habitat:

The African penguin nest on offshore islands and can be found in offshore coastal waters, 50km of the shore, especially in the Benguela and Agulhas Currents, throughout the year. Their diet consists mainly of small shoaling pelagic fish, such as pilchard, anchovies, horse mackerel and round herrings. Since penguins are capable of diving considerable depths (between 35 – 130m) and remain underwater for about 21/2 minutes, they can reach those fish that no other seabird can. When on the hunt for prey, African penguins can reach a top speed of close to 20 km/h and can travel considerable distances to feed. Adults consume an average of between 300 and 540g of fish a day, although this will increase to over 1 kg before moulting or when feeding older chicks.