Galapagos Penguin

Spheniscus mendiculus · Species of bird
Family
Order
Sphenisciformes
Conservation
EN Endangered
Codes
galpen1, GAPE

About the Galapagos Penguin

The Galápagos penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. It is the only penguin found north of the equator. Most inhabit Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island. The cool waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents allow it to survive despite the tropical latitude. The Galápagos penguin is one of the banded penguins, the other species of which live mostly on the coasts of Africa and mainland South America. Due to their warm environment, Galápagos penguins have developed techniques to stay cool. The feathers on their back, flippers, and head are black, and they have a white belly and a stripe looping from their eyes down to their neck and chin. Each penguin keeps only one mate, and breeds year-round. Because there are no soft areas to nest, their nests are typically in caves and crevices which also provide protection against predators and the harsh environment. The Galápagos penguin has a lifespan of 20 years, but due to predation, life expectancy in the wild could be significantly reduced. They have been critically impacted to the point of endangerment by climate change and pollution caused by plastic waste due to tourism and urbanization.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderSphenisciformes
FamilyPenguins (Spheniscidae)
SpeciesSpheniscus mendiculus
Species Codesgalpen1, GAPE
ConservationEN Endangered

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Galapagos Penguin belong to?

The Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) belongs to the Penguins family (Spheniscidae), in the order Sphenisciformes.

What is the conservation status of the Galapagos Penguin?

The Galapagos Penguin is classified as "Endangered" (EN) by IUCN Red List.

How can I identify the Galapagos Penguin?

The Galápagos penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. It is the only penguin found north of the equator. Most inhabit Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island. The cool waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents allow it to survive despite the tropical latit...

Where can I report a Galapagos Penguin sighting?

You can log sightings of Galapagos Penguin on eBird (ebird.org) using species code galpen1, or on iNaturalist.