Also Called:  Jackass Penguins,  Cape Penguins

Size
Height : 65 cm (26 inches) for average adult.
Weight : 4 to 5 kg (9 to 10 lbs) for average adult.

Description

• Black and white with single black chest band on white chest.
• Bill is black with a white band surrounding it about one-third from the tip.
• Eyes surrounded by pink skin.
• Juveniles covered with dark grey down.
• Individualistic black chest spots on adults.
  

Feet

• Black.

Food

• Likes to feed on anchovies and sardines.

Rookeries

• Islands and some mainland sites in South Africa.
• In the past burrowed into the guano layers but this has been harvested for use as an agricultural fertilizer.
• Nest in burrows to protect their young from the heat of the summer and predators.
• When no burrowing locations can be found they nest in the open.
• Surface nesting makes penguins vulnerable to flooding of nests and predators.

Breeding

• Male arrives at the breeding site, finds a burrow and vocalizes.
• Female will answer his call, walk around him and they rub bills.
• Mutual preening, bill rubbing and vocalizations reinforce their bond.
• The female lay 2 eggs a few days apart.
• Both parents take turns incubating the egg relieving each other for fishing expeditions.
• Crèches form as the chicks reach 3 to 4 weeks of age.
• Chicks fledge at 2 1/2 months then go to sea.
• Pair bonds are long lasting and generally mate for life.
• These penguins breed year round with each site having a favorable breeding period because of the moderate temperatures.

Predators

• Kelp Gulls and feral cats while nesting on eggs and chicks.
• Seals and sharks while adults at sea.
• Disturbed and killed by vehicle traffic.

Interesting Facts

• Marine pollution and oil spills are largely responsible for the decline of the South African penguin population.
• Fisheries compete for the penguins preferred fish: sardines and anchovies.
• Until 1967 South African penguin eggs were harvested as a delicacy.
• Formerly called Black-Footed, Cape or Jackass Penguins, because of their loud donkey like vocalizations.