Birds
Magellanic Penguin
Spheniscus magellanicus · also called jackass penguin (South America)
Marked by two bold black bands crossing its chest and throat, a Magellanic penguin undertakes one of the longest migrations of any penguin species, travelling thousands of kilometres each year between South American breeding colonies and distant wintering grounds.
Overview
The Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, is a long-migrating seabird native to coastal and ocean habitat along the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. Its record-length annual migration, distinctive double-banded chest pattern, and vulnerability to oil pollution along its travel route make it one of the more ecologically significant penguin species found anywhere in South America.
A penguin built for the long haul
Few penguin species travel as far each year as the Magellanic penguin, whose enormous annual migration between breeding and wintering grounds exposes it to a wide stretch of coastline, and with it, a correspondingly wide range of risks along the way.
Status
Least Concern overall, though populations have declined in parts of the range due to oil pollution, overfishing of prey, and changing ocean conditions along the migratory route.
Magellanic Penguin: common questions
How far does the Magellanic penguin migrate?
This species migrates thousands of kilometres each year between its South American breeding colonies and more northerly wintering grounds, one of the longest migrations documented in any penguin species.
How can you identify a Magellanic penguin?
This species has two distinct black bands crossing its white chest and throat, a marking pattern that helps distinguish it from closely related penguin species found in the same general region.
Why is the Magellanic penguin named after an explorer?
This species is named after a sixteenth-century European explorer who was among the first to document the species during a voyage along the South American coast where it is found.
Why are oil spills such a serious threat to the Magellanic penguin?
This species faces significant risk from oil pollution along its long migratory route, historically resulting in mass mortality events when spills coincided with major seasonal movements of the population.