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The Galapagos Penguin
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June 22, 2018The Galapagos penguin is one of the birds that you might get to see on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. What is particularly noteworthy about the Galapagos penguin is that it is the only species of penguin that may be found north of the equatorial line. Additionally, it is the only species of penguin that resides in the Galapagos Islands. The reason that this bird can survive in this location is thought to be due to the Humboldt Current which brings cool waters to the Galapagos Islands. It is believed that the penguins got to the islands from southern Chile, carried perhaps by a storm or strong ocean currents. The penguins adapted to survive in their warmer environment, losing fat and reducing in size. Here we will look at recognizing penguins in the Galapagos Islands, where to see penguins in Galapagos, how they behave, how they live, population size and more.
Recognizing a Galapagos Penguin
Galapagos penguins are relatively small compared to the other birds in their family, and they are the second smallest type of penguin – the little penguin is smaller. They weigh just 5.5 pounds and they are on average 19 inches long. Galapagos penguins are easily recognizable as being a part of the penguin family. They have a black head with a white border. Their upper part is black grey, and the underparts are white. They also have black bands across the breast which extend down to the thigh area. The chicks have feathers that are white below and brown above, and this helps protect them from the very hot sun that can be experienced in the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Penguin Behavior
Galapagos penguins reside in the Galapagos Islands all year around. They feed on small fish such as sardines and mullet, and they may sometimes eat creatures from the crustacean family as well. They look for food during day time hours, and do not go far from their breeding sites to do so. Since they need cold water to bring the nutrition that they need to survive, they breed when sea surface temperatures are lower than 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). The penguins do not enjoy warmer weather, and they like to cool down by heading into the water. However, due to the proportion of time these creatures live on the land, they have also developed thermoregulation techniques for cooling down out of the water too. These include spreading out flippers and leaning forward (to keep the sun off their feet), as well as panting.
There are fewer than 1,000 pairs of breeding Galapagos penguins. Nesting takes place between May and January, so be sure to visit during those months if that is what you wish to see on your visit to the Galapagos Islands. The nests are built no more than 50 meters from the water, and the parents protect their nests, with both males and females involved with the chick-rearing activities. The incubation time frame for the eggs is approximately 40 days, and parents will take it in turns to keep watch over the eggs, working on keeping them cool. There will only be one or two eggs, and the parents will typically just bring up one chick. Once the chick hatches, the parents take it in turns to go for food and will be gone for a few days at a time in each case. Penguins are loyal, and they will mate for life.
Where to see penguins in Galapagos
The question most want answered is: Where to see penguins in Galapagos? The most likely places to see a Galapagos penguin are on Fernandina Island and Isabela Island. On Isabela Island they are mostly found living on the west coast. However, these birds can also be seen on a number of other islands, though their populations there are small. For example, they can be observed on Santiago, Bartolome, Santa Cruz (to the north) and on Floreana Island. Seeing a Galapagos penguin is for some a highlight of a Galapagos cruise or land-based Galapagos option, especially if they are observed underwater. During snorkeling it may be possible to observe these fascinating birds diving for food beneath the surface, watching them interact with the other fauna in the water. We highly recommend considering the Infinity Galapagos cruise or the Natural Paradise Yacht for comprehensive itineraries that will allow you to observe penguins during your trip to the islands.
Threats to Galapagos Penguins
With a total population of fewer than 2,000 individuals, the Galapagos penguin is on the list of endangered species. Challenges facing these penguins include pollution and climate change. The El Nino phenomenon in particular has been known to have particularly dramatic negative consequences for the population of Galapagos penguins, reducing their numbers by almost 80%. The problem for Galapagos penguins is that El Nino brings warmer temperatures, which puts these creatures off breeding. This is because their chicks have a lower chance of survival in warmer water due to a lower availability of food for them. Additionally, animals that have been introduced into the Galapagos bring illnesses that can kill penguins, and some introduced species such as cats hunt penguins.
