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  • Humboldt Penguin

Humboldt penguin

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Penguin Coast
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Quick facts

Lifespan

Lifespan

15-20 years

under human care

Diet

Diet

Fish

including anchovy and herring. Also squid.

Habitat

Habitat

Islands, rocky coasts

and surrounding waters

Range

Range

Subtropical Pacific coasts

of Chile and Peru

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The Humboldt penguins

Humboldt penguin

Humboldt penguin

The Humboldt penguin is a medium-sized black-and-white penguin. All of its upperparts, nape, forehead, throat and face are black, except for a white border stretching from its eye to around the ear-coverts, finally joining on its throat. The base of its bill is fleshy-pink. A black horseshoe shaped breast-band extends down its flanks to the thigh and the white belly is speckled with black spots.
El Niño effect

El Niño effect

It is named after the cool Humboldt current, which was in turn named after the 19th century German geographer Alexander von Humboldt. This nutrient-rich current supports schools of anchovies which are the main source of food for the birds. However, the El Niño climatic condition has altered the ocean’s stream systems in the east Pacific near the equator. El Niño can cause not only complete breeding failure but also slumps in numbers of adult Humboldts.
Languishing numbers

Languishing numbers

Humboldt penguins can breed year-round, with the main peaks in May and July and from September to December, but reproductive success is low. Entrapment in fishing nets, and illegal capture for meat and for the pet trade are the primary threats to this species. The Humboldt penguin is now protected in Chile and Peru but only time will tell if these efforts can help revive its languishing numbers.

Together, we protect wildlife

Penguins in peril

Penguins in peril

The Chilean National Zoo has successfully raised chicks from eggs abandoned by wild nesting pairs – an effort to mitigate threats faced by this species in the wild. Do support such conservation projects and community efforts to engage local fishermen and ecotourism outfits in the protection of this bird.  

The IUCN Status

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

DD

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

LC

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

EW

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

EX

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

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Every visit to our parks comes with

Every visit to our parks comes with
Find out how, together, we're creating a better future for wildlife and the planet.

Opening hours

8.30am - 6.00pm (Last entry at 5.00pm)

Open from Thursdays to Sundays, eves of and on Public Holidays, and selected school holidays

Address

2 Jurong Hill
Singapore 628925

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