Birds Of The World: Magellanic Penguin

_{The Magellanic Penguin(Spheniscus magellanicus) is classified in the avian order Sphenisciformes and family Spheniscidae. The Magellanic Penguin was named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan}

Physical Characteristics

An adult Magellanic Penguin has a black black and white abdomen. There are two black bands between the head and the breast, with the lower band shaped like a horseshoe.There is pink around and above each eye. The bill is black but sometimes has a dark gray tip, Near the tip of the bill there is a grayish band.The legs are grayish and are irregularly spotted pink.

_Genus	_Spheniscus
_Species	_{S. magellanicus}
_{Binomial Name}	_{Spheniscus magellanicus}
_Length	_{61-76cm(2’-2’5.9”)}
_Weight	_{2.3-7.8kg(5.1-17.2 lbs.)}
_Diet	_Carnivore
_{IUCN Status}	_{Least concern}

Range And Habitat

The Magellanic Penguin lives year round in Argentina and Chile. This species also breeds on the Falkland Islands; during the non-breeding time of the year Magellanic Penguins can also be seen in Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay; and can also occasionally be seen in Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Magellanic Penguins inhabit marine areas.

Breeding

Magellanic Penguins breed in colonies. They nest in burrows, or under vegetation. The clutch size is 1 to 2 eggs; however clutches of 2 eggs are more common. Magellanic Penguins reach sexual maturity between 4 to 6 years old.