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Humboldt Penguin

Humboldt penguins are known for often making nests in guano (bird poop), by burrowing into the large coastal deposits found in the areas they inhabit. This may not sound appealing, but it offers important protection from potential predators and allows the eggs to be protected from harsh sun rays.

 

Humboldt penguins are found along the coasts of Chile and Peru, which are near the Humboldt Current consisting of cold, nutrient dense waters, giving these penguins their name. A medium-sized penguin, they can be up to 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) tall. Humboldt penguins are covered with dark feathers on their backs and heads, white feathers on their chests, and sport distinct white stripes that start above their eyes, circle their faces, and continue down to their shoulders. 

These seabirds spend a lot of time in the water — with the longest trip taken by a Humboldt penguin recorded to be 163.3 hours before returning back to land. While at sea, they feed on a variety of fish, including garfish, anchovy, and pilchard, as well as squid. Their diet can vary based on which fish is most abundant in their area. But as much as they love being in the water, they have to eventually come ashore to the rocky coastline they call home to rest, mate, and tend to their young. These penguins can mate all year round due to the year-round warm climate, but they have two peak seasons from April to July and again from August to December.  

 

 

Humboldt penguins face a variety of threats, which has led to them being listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. 

El Niño-La Niña dynamics 

The natural El Niño and La Niño dynamics of the Humboldt Current System result in times of prosperity and times of hardship in terms of prey availability, and therefore breeding success, for Humboldt penguins. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of El Niño events, it may be that these seabirds will not be able to recover from these hardships as well as they have historically. 

Fishing 

Overfishing off the coast of Chile and Peru can deplete the forage fish these penguins depend on. Additionally, they are known to get caught incidentally in multiple types of fishing gear, including trawl nets and long-lines. 

Introduced Species & Disturbance from humans 

Introduced rats may prey on eggs and chicks, and feral dogs are also known to kill adult penguins. Disturbances from humans, such as tourists or fishers, also can impact penguin colonies, since they are very sensitive to the presence of people. 

 

 

Creating Marine Protected Areas around key penguin colonies can help safeguard their feeding and breeding grounds so these penguin populations can recover. In the iconic Humboldt Archipelago, which these penguins call home, Oceana has conducted five scientific expeditions to learn more about this unique area and how to best protect it. Following these expeditions, in 2023, Chile created the Humboldt Archipelago multi-use marine coastal protected area, protecting habitat for marine otters and other wildlife. We continue to explore Chile’s seas and campaign for their protection. 

 

 

 

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