M A G E L L A N I C    P E N G U I N S

Magellanic penguin is the largest of the warm-weather penguins. This penguin was named after Ferdinand Magellan who first saw them in 1519 on his first voyage around the tip of South America. They have a wide black strip under their chin and another is in the shape of an upside down horseshoe on their stomachs. On their chests they have scattered black spots.

These large penguins stand about 27 inches (70 centimeters) tall and weigh about 9 pounds (4 kilograms). They live on the stormy and rocky shores of the Falklands, Argentina, and Chile. They eat squid and small fish. There are about 400,000 breeding pairs. Their numbers are not threatened. These birds do face a threat from oil spills ,over fishing of their habitats which decrease their food supply, and from getting entangled in fishing nets.

These penguins come on shore to breed. While on land they are very shy and often hide in their deep nest when bothered. Their nests are built under bushes or burrows under rocks. Two eggs are laid in the burrow and often both chicks are raised. The eggs take 39 to 42 days to hatch. The chicks stay in the burrow for about 5 weeks. The male and female share the duty lasting 10 to 15 days each. Once the chicks are hatched they are fed and guarded for 29 days. At this time the chick molts. They go to sea and hunt for food on their own when they are 60 to 70 days old.

Magellanic penguins are part of the warm weather penguins. During the warm weather of the breeding season they lose the feathers around their eyes. The skin underneath turns a pinkish color. When it starts to get cold the feathers around their eyes grow back.