Distinguishing featuresGalapagos Penguins have a narrow white band from the eye extending under the chin and a black band that runs in an inverted horseshoe shape around their fronts. Although the pattern of banding on Galapagos penguins is similar to that on Magellanic Penguins, they are easily distinguished. Magellanic Penguins are considerably larger than Galapagos Penguins and the main black band around the front is much narrower on Galapagos Penguins. |
|
Sub-speciesThere are no generally recognised sub-species of the Galapagos penguin. |
|
Height & WeightGalapagos Penguins stand 40 to 45 cm tall. Their weight varies through the year from 1.6 to 2.5 kg. |
|
Breeding locations |
|
Galapagos penguins breed on the Galapagos Islands on the equator (and on the north coast of Isabela Island just north of the equator!). There are no accurate population censuses available, The breeding population is estimated to be around 1,000 pairs and is believed to be declining. |
|
Nesting behaviourNests are rudimentary burrows. Two eggs are usually laid but only one chick reared. Incubation takes 38 to 40 days shared equally between both parents. Chicks are brooded and guarded for 30 days after hatching with feeding and guard duties shared between the parents. Chicks moult and go to sea when 60 to 65 days old. |
|
Principal dietGalapagos penguins are believed to eat mostly fish such as mullet and sardine, but no detailed studies have been published. |
|
Alternative namesAs far as we know there are no alternative names for Galapagos penguins. If you know of any please send us an email. |
|
Further Information
|
|
Penguins John Sparks and Tony Soper, Facts on File Publications, Oxford, 1987.
Penguins of the World Pauline Reilly, OUP, Oxford, 1994.
The Penguins Tony D Williams, OUP, Oxford, 1995.
Penguin CAMP reports, IUCN, 1998 and 2004.
