Spheniscus demersus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : African penguin
French : Manchot du Cap

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Sphenisciformes
Family : Spheniscidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 70 cm for a weight of 3,7 kg. Black face with white supercilium band reaching sides of nape and white breast and belly. Single black band circling from belly to upper breast. Pink spot above eye, black bill.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southern African coasts, from Namibia to South Africa. Vagrant to north Namibia and Mozambique. Nests on inshore islands, either sandy or rocky, with sparse vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is going through a steep and accelerating decline because of the impact of commercial fisheries on their habitat and prey availability.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation
Dallas World Aquarium (USA), Burgers Zoo (Netherlands), Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Berlin Zoo (Germany)

 

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