Photo: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Penguin
Spheniscus demersus
African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) — Penguins of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a member of the Spheniscidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 3.1 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Sphenisciformes
- Family Spheniscidae Penguins
- Genus Spheniscus
- Species demersus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 3.1 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Spheniscidae
- Order
- Sphenisciformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The African Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a species of bird in the Spheniscidae family, part of the order Sphenisciformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF coastal s Namibia and s South Africa.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 3.1 kg, with a wing length of about 9.9 cm and a tail of around 2.9 cm.
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 330,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Penguin?
The African Penguin is a very large bird that weighs around 3.1 kg.
Where does the African Penguin live?
The African Penguin is found across Africa with a range covering AF coastal s Namibia and s South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Penguin belong to?
The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) belongs to the Spheniscidae family, in the order Sphenisciformes.
What does the African Penguin eat?
The African Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the African Penguin migrate?
The African Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the African Penguin endangered?
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
What sound does the African Penguin make?
1 real field recording of the African Penguin — including its begging call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Penguin's range?
The African Penguin has a mapped global range of about 330,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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