Erect-crested Penguin vs Humboldt Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Erect-crested Penguin and Humboldt Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Erect-crested Penguin
Humboldt Penguin
Size Comparison
Erect-crested Penguin
50-70 cm
2.5-6 kg
Humboldt Penguin
56-70 cm
3.6-5.9 kg
| Feature | Erect-crested Penguin | Humboldt Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes sclateri | Spheniscus humboldti |
| Height | 50-70 cm | 56-70 cm |
| Weight | 2.5-6 kg | 3.6-5.9 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 15-20 years |
| Population | ~150,000 pairs | ~23,800 individuals |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Small fish | Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Sub-Antarctic islands | Rocky coastlines, Desert coasts, Islands |
| Regions | Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands (New Zealand) | Peru, Chile |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Spheniscus |
Conservation Status
Erect-crested Penguin
EndangeredHumboldt Penguin
VulnerableScientific Name
Erect-crested Penguin
Eudyptes sclateri
Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus humboldti
Height
Erect-crested Penguin
50-70 cm
Humboldt Penguin
56-70 cm
Weight
Erect-crested Penguin
2.5-6 kg
Humboldt Penguin
3.6-5.9 kg
Lifespan
Erect-crested Penguin
15-20 years
Humboldt Penguin
15-20 years
Population
Erect-crested Penguin
~150,000 pairs
Humboldt Penguin
~23,800 individuals
Diet
Erect-crested Penguin
Krill, Squid, Small fish
Humboldt Penguin
Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid
Habitat
Erect-crested Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Sub-Antarctic islands
Humboldt Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Desert coasts, Islands
Regions
Erect-crested Penguin
Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands (New Zealand)
Humboldt Penguin
Peru, Chile
Genus
Erect-crested Penguin
Eudyptes
Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus
About Each Species
Erect-crested Penguin
One of the least-known penguin species, named for distinctive upward-pointing yellow crest feathers they can raise and lower at will. They breed on two remote island groups south of New Zealand.
Learn more about Erect-crested PenguinHumboldt Penguin
Named after the cold Humboldt Current, these penguins live along the coasts of Peru and Chile in one of the most arid environments inhabited by any penguin, nesting in burrows dug into guano deposits.
Learn more about Humboldt PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Erect-crested Penguin or Humboldt Penguin?
Both species are similar in size, reaching up to 70cm tall.
Which is more endangered, Erect-crested Penguin or Humboldt Penguin?
The Erect-crested Penguin is classified as "Endangered" while the Humboldt Penguin is "Vulnerable".
Do Erect-crested Penguins and Humboldt Penguins live in the same area?
Erect-crested Penguins are found in Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands (New Zealand). Humboldt Penguins are found in Peru, Chile.