5 Practically Perfect Penguins

We hope that you enjoy this article about 5 Practically Perfect Penguins. These unique avians never cease to amaze those who read of or encounter them. Yet there are many kinds of penguins in the world. In fact, the current total of recognized species stands at seventeen.

These come in a wide variety of sizes and characteristics. Though the overall general appearance remains the same, however, some differences obviously exist. Herein, we present to you just a few of these for your ongoing consideration and appreciation.

Galapagos Penguin

Galapagos Penguin Facts

• The first animal on this list of 5 Practically Perfect Penguins is one that many people do not know about, the fabulous Galapagos Penguin.
• Firstly, the amazing species, Spheniscus mendiculus, is not only adorable, it also remains quite unique. This occurs because it happens to be the only penguin found north of the equator.
• It constitutes a variety of banded penguin that has a unique ability to survive in its endemic range. This is due to a specific combination of environmental factors. Two cold ocean currents actually meet near its habitat.
• Therefore, this highly resilient creature survives by spending the majority of its time in the cool water.

Galapagos Penguin Physical Description

The Galapagos Penguin ranks as a quite diminutive variety of penguin. The adults only average about 19 in (49 cm) in length. In addition, its weight rarely exceeds 5.5 lb (2.5 kg).

In fact, this beautiful penguin remains the second smallest of all related species known to man.

Also, like many of the other types of flightless birds known, it displays sexual dimorphism. In this animal, this involves the females being slightly smaller in size than the males.

Finally, its coloring remains the standard combination of black and white common to all penguins.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Sphenisciformes
• Family: Spheniscidae
• Genus: Spheniscus
• Species: S. mendiculus

Galapagos Penguin Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Not surprisingly, the endemic habitat range of the Galapagos Penguin also remains restricted. It only lives in a portion of the Galapagos Islands. Currently, fewer than 1,000 breeding pairs of this animal, which mates for life, appear to exist.

In fact, this makes it the rarest of all species of penguin currently known to science.

Individuals make their nests within 160 ft (50 m) of the water and lay their eggs in caves or crevices, to protect them from the sun.

Further, its principle predators include snakes, hawks, sharks, sea lions, and fur seals. Finally, though under legal protection, the bird occasionally becomes trapped in fishing nets.

Yellow-Eyed Penguin

Yellow-Eyed Penguin Facts

• Our next entry in this article pertaining to 5 Practically Perfect Penguins is the one with the astounding eyes, the Yellow-Eyed Penguin.
• Unfortunately, this rather stunning animal now ranks as one of the rarest varieties of penguin in the world.
• But, regardless of its scant numbers, this amazing bird actually has one of the longest natural lifespans of any related species, at 20+ years.
• However, few individuals reach this age, due to a variety of reasons, many of which are not part of its natural environment.
• The primary threats that the magnificent creature faces include habitat degradation and also the introduction of non-native predators.
• It has an estimated remaining population of fewer than 4,000 individuals, so the IUCN now lists it as Endangered.

Yellow-Eyed Penguin Physical Description

Regardless of its rather distinctive appearance, the marvelous Yellow Eyed Penguin nevertheless remains a roughly mid-sized penguin.

However, the animal does display a slight degree of sexual dimorphism, with males being both slightly larger and longer-lived than females.

Mature adults also reach a height of 24-31 in (62-79 cm). However, weights vary significantly, depending on the time of the year, from 6.6 – 18 lb (3-8 kg).

In addition to the typical black back, it also has a pale yellowish head, a multi-colored beak, and the distinctive yellow eyes.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Sphenisciformes
• Family: Spheniscidae
• Genus: Megadyptes
• Species: M. antipodes

Yellow-Eyed Penguin Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Most importantly, the marvelous Yellow Eyed Penguin, unfortunately, has an extremely restricted and rather isolated natural habitat range.

It remains endemic to only specific portions of New Zealand , including South Island, and also the Auckland, Stewart, and Campbell Islands.

Further, this amazing avian typically nests in regions of either scrub or forest, on gentle slopes or the shore itself, in small bays or headlands.

Similar to related species, its diet also consists mainly of small fish caught near the seafloor and augmented with the occasional small cephalopod.

Finally, a reserve was created for this amazing species in 2007 that includes a portion of its native nesting area, in an effort to assist in its preservation.

Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo Penguin Facts

• The third remarkable bird in this listing of 5 Practically Perfect Penguins is a particularly speedy one, the Gentoo Penguin.
• Firstly, this truly fascinating bird was first described by Johann Reinhold Forster, in 1781. The origin of the catchy name still remains unknown, though many theories currently abound.
• Further, underwater this incredible bird ranks as the fastest swimming of all penguins. This lovely species also remains fully capable of reaching speeds of up to 24 miles per hour (36 kph).
• But, this animal is easily distinguishable and quite fascinating.  In addition, the avian remains one of only three recognized members of its genus. However, two subspecies do exist.
• Finally, its physical size ranks it as the third-largest known species of penguin. Only the two so-called giant penguin species currently recognized exceed it in size.

Gentoo Penguin Physical Description

Most notably, the impressive Gentoo Penguin is easily distinguished by its distinctive markings. This includes the wide white stripe which extends like a bonnet across the top of its head. It also includes the bright orange-red bill.

Its webbed feet remain a pale pinkish-white in color. This penguin also possesses a comparatively long tail. In fact, it has the longest tail of any known variety of penguin.

Individuals also attain a maximum height of about 3 ft (90 cm) and sometimes weigh as much as 19 lb ( 8.5 kg). This makes it the third largest of all known species of penguin.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Sphenisciformes
• Family: Spheniscidae
• Genus: Pygoscelis
• Species: P. papua

Gentoo Penguin Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The Gentoo Penguin breeds on numerous sub-Antarctic islands and prefers shallow coastal regions for their habitat. These islands include South Georgia, The Falkland Islands, and the Kerguelin Islands. Experts estimate its current numbers at roughly at around 300,000.

The animal feeds primarily on crustaceans such as krill, with fish and small squid comprising approximately 15% of its diet. Its principal natural predators include orcas, sea lions and leopard seals.

Though its numbers may seem large, the IUCN has the bird officially listed as Near Threatened. This listing occurs because the numbers of this animal appear to be declining rapidly.

Adelie Penguin

Adelie Penguin Facts

• Our fourth entry onto this compendium of 5 Practically Perfect Penguins is the wonderful Adelie Penguin.
• Firstly, this stunning bird is a blue-eyed species of penguin common along the entire coast of Antarctica. This remains its only natural habitat. This remarkable bird also remains among the most southerly distributed of all seabirds. 
• Further, the bird bears the name of Adelie Land, a claimed territory on the continent. In turn, it was named after the wife of French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville. It was he who discovered these Penguins in 1840.
• The Adelie Penguin also represents one of three species in the genus Pygocelis. DNA evidence suggests that the genus split from other penguins around 38 million years ago.
• Lastly, in turn, this penguin split off from the other members of the genus around 19 million years ago.

Adelie Penguin Physical Description

The Adelie Penguin constitutes a mid-sized animal which attains a maximum height of about 30 in. (75 cm). In weight, the adults average 13.2 lb. (6 kg).

A genetic trait appears in the form of a distinctive white ring surrounding the eye and the feathers at the base of the bill. These long feathers hide most of the red bill.

The tail grows slightly longer than that of other penguins.  At this weight and height, the animal measures slightly smaller than other penguin species.

The Adelie Penguin also has the rather remarkable ability to swim at speeds of up to 45 mph (72 kph).

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Sphenisciformes
• Family: Sphensicidae
• Genus: Pygoscelis
• Species: P. adeliae

Adelie Penguin Distribution and Habitat

Most notably, the Adelie Penguin population inhabits the coastline of the Antarctic continent. However, very few penguins appear to breed in the quarter of the continent eastwards of the Antarctic Peninsula. Only a few small colonies are present in this region.

Yet, while the breeding season lasts, the unique animal congregates in large colonies some of which number over a quarter of a million pairs. Individual colonies can vary dramatically in size with some particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Furthermore, the Adélie Penguin breeds during the Antarctic summer so from October to February on shores around the continent. This seabird will build rough nests of stones and lay on average two eggs.

In addition, both parents take turns incubating the eggs for 32 to 34 days. The chicks remain in the nest for 22 days before joining nurseries where they cannot yet enter the seas. The chicks will molt into their juvenile plumage and go out to sea for the first time after roughly 50 to 60 days.

Adelie Penguin Diet and Migration

The Adelie Penguin primarily feeds upon ice krill, Antarctic krill, and Glacial Squid. Its diet also varies widely depending on the geographic location during the chick-rearing season.

Evidence further indicates that the animal once fed primarily upon fish. However, approximately 200 hundred years ago the seabird began to switch to a mostly krill-based diet, which may be the direct result of fewer numbers of its chief competitors for the local fish supply. This happened when the numbers of baleen whales and fur seals began to decline due to hunting.

The Adelie Penguin can migrate an average 8,100 mi (13,000 km) during the year. It follows the sun from the breeding colonies to winter foraging grounds and back again. The longest recorded migrations have been as much as 10,900 mi (17,600 km).

African Penguin

African Penguin Facts

• The last, but certainly not least, creature on this list of 5 Practically Perfect Penguins is the completely surprising African Penguin.
• This intriguing product of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the informative common name for good reasons. That is not its only informal moniker, though. It also bears the names of South African Penguin and Cape Penguin.
• Among scientific professionals, however, such as researchers, its better known by another term. That’s the official species name of the Spheniscus demersus. Regardless of which of these one uses to refer to it, the bird remains an impressive creature.
• It received this tongue-twisting name due to the work of the eminent Swedish researcher, Carl Linaeus. He accomplished the first recored recognition of the animal as a separate and distinct species. The scientifically noteworthy event took place in 1758.
• It also remains well-known for a somewhat unusual physical trait. That’s its distinctive, and quite loud, donkey-like braying, unique among its kindred. Subsequent to its discovery, this led to its also earning it the nickname of the donkey penguin.
• Sadly, however, this unique avian now faces the very real threat of extinction. This fact occurs due to a rapid and still ongoing decline in population. Between 1910 and 2010, its numbers fell precipitously. That went from an estimated 1.5 million to only 55,000.
• Humans previously hunted its eggs for consumption, beginning the process of its decline. Since that time, multiple oil spills and industrial fishing have further reduced its numbers. With climate change added in, the IUCN now lists it as Endangered.

African Penguin Physical Description

Like many of its relatives, the amazing African Penguin draws the attention of those fortunate enough to encounter it. Unlike some of those same cousins, however, it does not do so due to pure physical size. That’s because this marvel of creation ranks as average sized.

The flightless bird does stand out due to another physical aspect, though. That’s irrelevant of its physical measurements. That’s true given the fact that this variety of penguin displays only a slight degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism.

Individuals of both genders, therefore, both mature and immature alike, manifest nearly the same overall appearance. The gender-based difference extends to both weight and height. Overall, however, the species measures an average of 24 – 28 in (61 – 71 cm).

In terms of sheer body mass, this avian again reaches only an average size for its kind. Fully grown specimens reach overall weights averaging between 4.9 – 7.7 lb (2.2 – 3.5 kg). Females of the species, meanwhile, tend to remain slightly smaller in both height and weight.

Exceptional individuals of both sexes of the African Penguin do sometimes occur, however, in both height and weight. Even among these rare individuals, though, neither attribute exceeds the average by any extraordinary degree. In this, it again mimics most of its cousins.

Its general appearance closely follows other penguins. The back is mostly black, and the stomach white. A black stripe and black spots dot the stomach, unique to each bird. A pink gland develops above the eyes, which plays a key role in regulating its body temperature.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Sphenisciformes
• Family: Spheniscidae
• Genus: Spheniscus
• Species: S. demersus

African Penguin Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The mesmerizing African Penguin inhabits a highly limited region of the globe. That region, however, is rather surprising, given the nature of the animal. That’s due to the fact that, as the very name implies, this particular penguin inhabits part of the continent of Africa.

More precisely, it inhabits an area off the southwestern coast of that continent. There, the eye-catching birds make their home spread across a total of 24 islands. The isles they live on dot a large area of ocean that extends from Algoa Bay, in South Africa, to Namibia.

In recent years, a few mainland colonies have begun to appear. Although the reason still remains undetermined conclusively, it seems likely due to the rapid decline of mainland predators in the region. In all areas, though, it lives along the coastline, near the water.

Again, much like related species, the African Penguin forages in the open sea. There, it mainly preys on species of small fish, crustaceans, and even small squid. The animals stay close to shore, though. Individuals rarely venture more than 12 mi (19.3 km) from shore.

Unfortuntely, its own natural predators occur both in the sea and on land, as well. These mostly include sharks and fur seals at sea. Numerous terrestrial animals threaten it while on land or nesting, however. Though agile in the water, it remains slow and vulnerable on land.

We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed this article about 5 Practically Perfect Penguins. We further hope that you come away from it with a newfound understanding of and appreciation for these remarkable flightless birds. Sadly, however, many of them find themselves now facing the threat of extinction, largely due directly to the actions of mankind. Let us do all that we can to ensure their survival, for their sake and our own.

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