Scientific name: Spheniscus demersus
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
We are “banded” penguins, because of the black band over our chest our closest cousins are the Humboldt and Magellanic and Galapagos penguins.
The number and arrangement of the black spots on our white chest and belly are unique to each African penguin, much like a human fingerprint. Scientists use it to identify us and we use it to identify each other.
We can also identify our partner’s voice and distinguish our chicks’ calls. This comes in handy in a large, noisy colony.
Adult weigh: 2.5 – 3.5kg
Height when standing: 40 – 50cm. When scientists measure us, they measure us as if we are lying down with our feet stretch out behind us. So, from the tips of our toe nails to the end of our beak we are between 60 and 70cm’s
Age at first breeding: 2-6 years; normally 4
Breeding: African penguins have an extended breeding season, which enables them to breed throughout the year. The peak of the breeding season in Namibia (November to December) tends to be earlier than the peak for South Africa (March to May).
Eggs: 1-2 eggs. Incubation period of 40 days
Flegling period: 60 – 130 days
Lifespan in the wild: Average 10 – 15 years
Males and females dress the same, making it difficult to differentiate between sexes.
Juveniles differ from adults in having blue-grey plumage with no white facial markings and no bold, defined marking
Swimming Speed: 15-20km/hour. Average 5km/hour when travelling
Dive depth: Usually less than 30m but can dive to a maximum of 130m
Dive duration: 2 – 5 minutes
Food: Shoaling fish like sardines & anchovies
Once a year, we hit pause on ocean life and trade our swimsuits for sweatpants because it’s molting time. That means ditching our old, worn out feathers and growing a brand new tuxedo. But here’s the catch: while our new feathers come in, we’re not waterproof. No swimming, no fishing, no snacks. Our molt is called a “catastrophic” molt because, unlike some birds, we lose all of our feathers at once.
So what do we do? We bulk up on purpose. Given a license to eat as much as we can, we pack on up to 31% of our body weight in fat reserves before the molt begins. That’s our survival stash for the duration of about 18 days on land to molt.
By the end, we’re sleek, shiny, and ready to dive back in. Molting: not glamorous, but absolutely essential.