Galapagos Penguin - description, habitat

Everyone knows that penguins live in the coldest corners of the planet. But not everyone knows that one of the species of these amazing birds lives in places with a warm climate. These are the Galapagos penguins. These unusual birds live on the equator. The number of species is quite large, but among other species of penguins Galapagos are the smallest.

Habitat

As can be understood from the name of the birds, they inhabit the territory of the Galapagos Islands. They can be seen, vacationers on the coast. Most of all representatives on the big islands. For example, Isabella. A distinctive feature of this species from other members of the family is that they lay eggs in burrows. Sometimes the mountain gorge also serves as a nest for them.

The diet of these birds is the inhabitants of the sea. They eat only crustaceans and fish, which bring water streams.A favorite place to relax with them is a volcanic rock. In the habitats of the Galapagos penguin, there are practically no predatory animals that could constitute a threat to them, so the birds feel calm and comfortable.

Appearance

Galapagos, like all other penguins, has a white mark around the eyes. And along the body are longitudinal stripes. Body and head narrow, small. There are membranes on the feet. Because of its structure, the bird on land is almost defenseless, because their wings and legs are very small. When they walk, they spread their small wings and roll over from one foot to the other.

Nutrition

Since the bird is small, it can not catch large prey. Therefore, most often eats small fish and other marine inhabitants. The most favorite delicacy of representatives of this species is sprat, sardine, and sometimes anchovy. On land, their wings are almost useless, but they help the penguin swim well underwater.

This species can be attributed to the social, as they are sent on a hunt not in groups, but individually. Coloring birds helps them to be invisible to both predators and prey. When they are in the water, when viewed from above, the black color allows to merge with the surface of the water, and when viewed from below, they merge with the light. These birds swim under water quite well and deeply. To catch prey, they are able to dive to 30 m.

Breeding

Representatives of this species are distinguished by their special “romance”. Male caring for a female for a long time. This process consists of many different actions. To conquer the chosen one, the Galapagos penguin cleans her, strokes and even hugs her. When the female responds with favor, the future parents set about arranging the nest in order to bring out the offspring soon. Until the very moment of egg deposition, they are trying to improve the nest, to make it more comfortable.

When building a nest, a couple sometimes steals material from neighbors, who also build their nest while they hunt or search for new material. When the female lays eggs, both partners take on the responsibility of caring for them.They follow the eggs one by one. This species of penguins brings progeny several times throughout the year, as the warm climate of the area allows it. At one time, the female lays only about 1-2 eggs. The incubation period is long compared to many other species of birds - it is 42 days. When small penguins appear, parents still very carefully watch over them for a month. But chicks grow and develop fairly quickly. When they turn 2 months old. They are already able to lead independent lives.

Interesting Facts

1. Galapagos penguins belong to the genus of spectacled penguins. This kind of genus was due to the fact that around the eyes they have white markings that stand out strongly against a dark background color.
2. The Latin name of the species is very long - Spheniscus mendiculus.
3. These unusual birds have virtually no gender differences. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine when meeting with birds, to which sex it belongs. But, if you see several individuals nearby, it is noticeable that the females are somewhat smaller in size.
4. The material for the construction of the nest are small stones and twigs.
5. Since they live in places with a very warm climate, where there is no cooling, birds breed throughout the year, and during this time they give birth to several offspring. While other species, as we know, can breed 1 or 2 times a year, and the rest of the time they go for hibernation to warm lands or go through cold winters in nesting places.
6. Although the chicks begin to live independently within 2 months after birth, they begin to breed only at the age of four.
7. Galapagos penguins are island birds. Nowhere else in nature can they be found.
8. Life expectancy is about 15 years.
9. During the incubation and care of the chicks, the parents feed them together and also zealously protect them from predators.
10. They love to feast on fish and eat it in large quantities. Even a small group of Galapagos penguins can eat around 8 tons of fish.
11. The authorities protect this species, and make sure that the number is not reduced. For this, various measures are taken. For example, in 2010, some predators were removed from the islands, and a special area for feeding the Galapagos penguins was determined, strictly protected by law.In addition, it is planned to build special islands on which they will breed these amazing birds.

Since these birds are very unusual and have habits that cause people affection, a lot of tourists come to the islands to look at them.

Video: Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)