Species & Identification

What is an African penguin?

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the jackass penguin for its loud, donkey-like braying call, is found along the southwestern coast of Africa. They breed on 24 islands and 3 mainland sites between Namibia and South Africa. Standing 60 to 70 cm tall, they are classified as Endangered, with populations having plummeted by more than 95% since the early 1900s. Threats include oil spills, overfishing of their prey species (sardines and anchovies), and habitat disturbance. Each individual has a unique pattern of black spots on its white chest, like a fingerprint.