African penguin

아프리카펭귄

A penguin with a black horseshoe band and spots on its chest and pink patches above the eyes. It breeds only on the coasts of southern Africa, and its donkey-like bray gives it the name "jackass penguin".

See it on the 3D globe →

At a glance

Class: Birds
Lives in: Coasts of South Africa such as Boulders Beach near Cape Town
Diet: Fish eater
Weight: about 3 kg
Length: about 0.65 m
Top speed: about 20 km/h
Lifespan: up to about 34 years
Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN CR)
Habitat: coasts

Quick answers

Where does the African penguin live?

It lives in coasts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. On the globe you can find it near Coasts of South Africa such as Boulders Beach near Cape Town.

How big is the African penguin?

It grows to about 0.65 m and 3 kg.

What does the African penguin eat?

Its diet: fish eater.

How fast is the African penguin?

It can reach about 20 km/h.

How long does the African penguin live?

It can live up to about 34 years.

Is the African penguin endangered?

It is listed as Critically Endangered (IUCN CR).

The African penguin lives only in southern African waters, along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. It is the only penguin found in the Old World. Adults are 60 to 70 cm tall and weigh about 2.2 to 3.5 kg.

It has pink skin patches above the eyes, a black facial mask and a black band across its white, spotted belly. It dives to catch fish and squid. It is now critically endangered, because of habitat loss, overfishing and climate change. It is a pursuit diver, chasing fish and squid underwater. Its body is streamlined, and its wings are stiff, flat flippers that help it swim instead of fly.

Why jackass?

Its loud, donkey-like bray gave it the name jackass penguin. Several related South American penguins make the same sound.

Other common names include Cape penguin, South African penguin and black-footed penguin. Like all penguins it cannot fly. Its wings are stiff, flat flippers that push it through the water. The early naturalist George Edwards drew and described it in a book on uncommon birds.

Why is it in danger?

Once extremely numerous, it is now described as the rarest penguin, with a fast-falling population. Threats include losing nesting habitat, overfishing of its prey and climate change.

It is popular with tourists, which can help bring attention to its protection. Quiz data lists its swimming speed at about 20 km per hour. Because it is endangered, saving its nesting places and its fish food matters.

Fun facts

It was nicknamed the "jackass penguin" because its call sounds like a braying donkey.
It is the only penguin found in the Old World.
Its braying call earned it the name jackass penguin.
Quiz data says it can live about 34 years.