Spectacled Penguin - description, habitat, interesting facts

Spectacled Penguin - a bird belonging to the penguin family. This species is also known under such names as: donkey, African or black-footed.

The bird's habitat is the southwestern coast of the African continent, washed by the cold waters of the Bengal current and the islands adjacent to it. Also, many representatives of this species are distributed around the world, mainly the inhabitants of zoos.

Note that the black-footed penguin is the only species that lives in Africa, which is unusual for many, because most inhabitants are sure that the main habitat of these birds is the coastal waters of the Arctic.

Nesting of birds is carried out annually with the onset of winter, which is explained by the fact that during this period on the mainland the temperature more favorable for birds is favorable for breeding. But the birds are still forced to protect their future offspring from overheating by laying in pre-prepared burrows dug in guano deposits directly on the coast.

Appearance

Above the eyes of spectacled penguins are light pink glands, the main purpose of which is to control thermoregulation. With a significant increase in body temperature, blood enters these glands more intensively for cooling with the surrounding air.

Males differ from females not only in larger physique, but also in large beak sizes. The black and white color of the penguin, in fact, is an effective protection of birds in water from various predators by creating shadows. The plumage color of young individuals is distinguished by lighter colors.

Propagation Features

Spectacled penguins are monogamous birds that create pairs for a long time, the maturity of individuals occurs after reaching 4-5 years. The breeding season of black-footed penguins directly depends on climatic conditions, in the southern part of the continent the peak of breeding birds occurs in the spring, in Namibia - from November to December. The number of eggs that the female lays is no more than 2 pieces. The incubation process is carried out by both representatives of the couple, the duration of the incubation period is about 40 days.

The first outfit of hatching penguin chicks is light gray fluff. The first time offspring were born with their parents. After one month, the young growth is combined into the so-called "nursery". Young adult penguins receive their first plumage at the age of 2 to 4 months, as a rule, the beginning of the first molt directly depends on the habitat and nutrition of the birds. Having received his adult outfit, young offspring go to the sea. In the natural habitat, spectacled penguins live up to 15 years. The maximum age of individuals is 27 years.

Behavior and Nutrition

Spectacled penguins are birds that cannot fly. The sounds made by these birds resemble donkey screams. During molting, birds cannot get food in water, which is explained by the fact that the feather cover of penguins becomes permeable. The duration of the molting period, as a rule, is about 3 weeks.

Black-footed penguins spend most of their lives in water, with the exception of the breeding season. The maximum speed in water reaches 20 km / h.

The main diet is small fish, crustaceans and squids, daily adult individual of this species of birds consumes at least 500 gr. food.

Interesting Facts

1. Often, this species of penguin is called a donkey, which is explained by the sounds made by the bird (the period of feeding the chicks).
2. Black-footed penguins are birds that are excellent swimmers; in search of prey for food, they are capable of quite deep diving (up to 120-130 m.).
3. Some time ago, the population of this species of penguin was quite widespread. Unfortunately, currently there are only about 30 colonies of this species of waterfowl.

Video: Spectacled Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)