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Project Noah Nature School
Spheniscus magellanicus
One of three very similar species that live in the temperate/sub-Antarctic regions, the others being the Humboldt and African penguins. It is the only penguin on the Falklands that nests in burrows (you can see some of the chicks in these pictures). It mates for life, and uses the same burrow year on year. The population in the Falklands has declined over the years, and in general the global population is very vulnerable to damage from oil spills and changes in feeding habits due to overfishing and climate change. They are listed as Near Threatened by CITES.
Coastal, need areas where they can burrow into soil for nesting.
These photos were taken at the Magellanic penguin colony in Gypsy Cove, Falkland Islands (about an hour's walk out of Stanley). We were unable to get close to the beach, but the penguins were not afraid of people and sometimes waddled right up to us!
Spotted on Jan 7, 2013
Submitted on Feb 18, 2013
23 Comments
cool
Excelentes fotos Laura!
What an amazing photo Laura!
These are beautiful photos Laura, I especially like number 4 with the fluffy chick in. congrats on SOTD.
Awesome spotting, congratulations!
Wonderful series. Congratulations on SOTD!
Welcome back and congrats on this wonderful SOTD! I have a place in the Peninsula Valdes in Argentina and I have spent a lot of time meandering about these wonderful creatures. They are quite lovely and even docile. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations.
Laura,awesome spotting,beautiful series,congrats on the SOTD,very well deserved,thanks for sharing
Superb set of pics (and spotting) Laura.
Lovely Spotting !! and congratulations !!!
Thank you so much, everyone! I'm really honoured to have this chosen as spotting of the day :) There are plenty more spottings to come, including more species of penguin!
Wow, lovely spotting! Welcome back Laura! Congratulations! Hope we can save them.
Very nice congrats!
Congratulations on this adorable SotD !
Congrats Laura, beautiful bird and a great series!
Welcome home Laura! This beautiful series has earned you a well-deserved spotting of the day.
The Magellanic penguin mates for life, and uses the same burrow year on year. It nests on barren rocky beaches where the inhospitable conditions deter its main predators, leopard and fur seals, and orcas. The species is very vulnerable to damage from oil spills and changes in feeding habits due to overfishing and climate change.
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Lovely series!
Fantastic Laura!!
Awesome series Laura!
Wow....
So you there a real heaven fill of wonderful organism......
Great series....!!
Great series and info Laura! The chick is irresistible.
What a beautiful series! Wonderful closeups of an amazing species! Thank you for sharing, Laura!