HUMBOLDT PENGUIN

CHARACTERISTICS: It is one of the two species that live outside the cold austral-polar temperatures. It measures between 45 and 60 centimetres and weighs approximately four or five kilos. It lives forming colonies on the protected islands and tips of the coast together with other guano-producing birds. To nest they dig holes in the guano or saltpetrous earth, or they use existing crevices amongst the rocks and natural caves.
DIET: It feeds principally from anchovies, occasionally adding squid, shrimp and other small fish to its diet.
REPRODUCTION: Penguins lay eggs of different sizes, which are incubated by both parents for around 35 days. The chicks are protected in the nest until they are 20 days old, then they join other penguin chicks to form a crèche.
CURIOSITIES: Amongst its natural predators are sea lions, sharks, foxes and seagulls (eggs and chicks). Enemies introduced are dogs, cats and rats. Occasionally, vampire bats attack the penguins while they sleep. Amongst the conservation measures put in place by different bodies is the construction of artificial nests and the creation of intangible areas which protect well-identified colonies. It is a species considered to be low down the list of endangered species.