African or Blackfooted Penguins
Spheniscus demersus

Introduction

Blackfooted penguins are also known as African penguins as they live along the south west coast of Africa in the nutrient rich Benguela Current where they feed on shoaling pelagic fish. Because of the vulnerable nature of the population of blackfooted penguins there are numerous zoos and aquariums in North America participating in a captive breeding program for blackfooted penguins.

Description

Blackfooted penguins are similar in appearance to the other 3 penguins in the same family, with a dark back, and white front, and a broad white white band on both sides of the head extending up from the chest behind the eyes. They have a black band across the front of the chest.

Size: about 70cm, 28 inches tall
Weight: 2 to 15kg, 4.5 to 11 pounds
Lifespan: 10-11 Years

Range and Population

Blackfooted penguins are geographically isolated from other penguin populations along the south west coast of Africa and surrounding islands. They have suffered a dramatic drop in population caused by many reasons such as habitat alteration, human exploitation (eggs and guano), and competition with fisheries for food. There is presently about 60,000 breeding pairs, less than 10% of the population 100 years ago. The blackfooted penguin is considered a vulnerable species.

Breeding

Living in a milder climate the breeding period for blackfooted penguins is much longer and less well defined than for most penguins. Rookeries form September to February depending on geographic location along the coast. Incubation lasts 5 to 6 weeks with both parents taking turns to incubate the eggs and care for the young chicks, and taking turns to feed.

Food and Predators

Blackfooted penguins eat fish such as anchovies, pilchards, horse mackerel and round herrings, and to a lesser extent squid and crustacean such as krill.

Where to See Blackfooted Penguins