Its closest relatives are the Ross seal, the crabeater seal and the Weddell seal, which together are known as the tribe of Lobodontini seals. It is the only species in the genus Hydrurga. It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, fish, and birds, particularly penguins. “Spheniscus magellanicus” (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.The leopard seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx), also referred to as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal). Magellanic Penguin Facts and Information | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Magellanic Penguins in Chilean Patagonia. Patagonia and other adventure travel destinations. and Barrett, P., 2019. The complete illustrated encyclopedia of birds of the world. This species was described by Ferdinand Magellan who recorded them during an expedition to South American in 1520.Īlderton, D. In some areas their eggs and the adults are harvested for food. This can wet the chicks which will often then die from hypothermia. Increases in oil exploration along the South American coast are increasing this threat.įisheries mostly impact them through bycatch in nets and other fishing equipment.Ĭlimate change has seen the amount of rain increase across their habitat. Major factors in their decline have been oil pollution, climate change and effects of fishery operations. This species is facing a range of threats. Introduced predators such as dogs will hunt this species in parts of their range.Ĭurrent estimates place the magellanic penguin population at between 1.1 and 1.6 million pairs but this number is declining. Natural predators of the magellanic penguin include birds such as kelp gulls, mammals such as red foxes, cats such as pumas, South American sea lions and orcas. What is impacting the survival of the magellanic penguin ? If these birds become too hot they will extend their flippers up increasing surface area for the breeze to cool. During this time they are not waterproof and must remain on shore. Then over 19-22 days they will lose their feathers and grow new ones. They spend a period at sea building up body mass before coming ashore. This occurs during March soon after they finish breeding. They will dive to depths up to 50m (164ft).Įach year these animals undergo a molt. When at sea they can remain underwater for 90 seconds before surfacing. During winter they take to the water where they will hunt for food. Summer is spent on land at the breeding colony. These birds produce a vocalization which is likened to the bray of a donkey. What does the magellanic penguin do with its day? Sexual maturity is reached at four years old. After fledging the chick may still be fed for another 10 days. It will remain in the nest for nine to seventeen weeks. The chick is fed once every three or so days. If resources are plentiful they will raise both chicks but during times of food scarcity they will focus all of their efforts on one chick. Both the male and female will share incubation between foraging for food and incubating their eggs. The burrow ends with a chamber which is higher than the tunnel to prevent water getting near the eggs.Ī female will deposit 2 eggs within the nest around 37 days after mating. They may even dig a burrow in to soft soil. Their nest is formed among grass or rocks. Males will fight at the beginning of the breeding season for nest sites and mates. Each year they mate with the same partner. Colonies are dense with only a short gap between nests. How does the magellanic penguin produce its young?īreeding occurs once per year during summer and takes place in a large colony with up to 400,000 individuals. Magellanic penguins are carnivores which will feed on fish, squid, krill and crustaceans. The magellanic penguin is also a slightly larger species. They can be distinguished from these birds as the stripe of white on the side of the head is wider. They share many of their features with the humboldt penguin. These birds survive in the ocean due to a special gland near the eye which allows them to secrete excess salt which they consume.Īn average magellanic penguin will measure 76cm (30in) long and weigh between 3.2 and 4.5kg (7-10lbs). They have a short, hooked bill which is colored black. Their feet are webbed to support them on land. These modified wings help to propel them through the water. A flipper is present on either side of the body. Their body is covered by a dense coat of feathers.ĭuring the breeding season they will lose feathers near the eyes and bill. Two black bands are situated between the head and breast. Magellanic penguins have a black back and a white stomach. What does the magellanic penguin look like?
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