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The spectacled penguin is a bird belonging to the penguin family. This species is also known by such names as: donkey, African or black-legged.
The bird's habitat is the southwest coast of the African continent, washed by the cold waters of the Bengal Current and the islands adjacent to it. Also, many representatives of this species are distributed throughout the world, mainly, they are inhabitants of zoos.
Note that the black-legged penguin is the only species that lives in Africa, which is unusual for many, because most of the inhabitants are convinced that the main habitat of these birds is the coastal waters of the Arctic.
Birds nesting is carried out annually with the onset of winter, which is explained by the fact that during this period the temperature on the mainland is more comfortable for the birds, contributing to breeding.But the birds still have to protect their future offspring from overheating, laying in previously prepared burrows dug in guano deposits directly on the coast.
Appearance
Above the eyes of the spectacled penguins are located glands of light pink color, the main purpose of which is to control thermoregulation. With a significant increase in body temperature, blood flows more intensively to these glands for cooling by ambient air.
Males differ from females not only in their larger constitution, but also in larger beak sizes. The black and white color of the penguin, in fact, is an effective protection of birds in the water against various predators by creating countercurrents.The color of the plumage of young individuals differs in lighter colors.
Breeding features
Spectacled penguins - monogamous birds that create pairs for a long time, the maturity of individuals occurs upon reaching 4-5 years. The black-legged penguin breeding season is directly dependent on climatic conditions, in the southern part of the continent the bird breeding peak occurs in the spring, in Namibia - from November to December. The number of eggs that the female blows is no more than 2 pieces. The process of brooding is carried out by both representatives of the pair, the duration of the incubation period is about 40 days.
The first outfit of the penguin chicks that have penetrated is light gray fluff. The first time, the offspring born was with their parents. After one month, the youngsters unite in the so-called "nursery". The first adult plumage of young penguins receive between the ages of 2 and 4 months, as a rule, the beginning of the first molt is directly dependent on the habitats and feeding of birds. Having received their adult outfit, young offspring go to the sea. In terms of natural habitat, penguins live for up to 15 years. The maximum age of the individuals is 27 years.
Behavior and nutrition
Spectacled penguins - birds that cannot fly. The sounds made by these birds resemble donkey screams. During the molting period, birds cannot harvest food in water, which is explained by the fact that the penguin's feather cover becomes permeable to water. The duration of the molt period, as a rule, is about 3 weeks.
Black-footed penguins spend most of their lives in the water, with the exception of the breeding season. The maximum speed of movement in water reaches 20 km / h.
The main diet - small fish, crustaceans and squids, every day an adult individual of this species consumes at least 500 grams. food.
Interesting Facts
- Often, this type of penguin is called the donkey, which is explained by the sounds emitted by the bird (nursing period).
- Black-footed penguins are birds that are excellent swimmers, in search of prey for food, they are capable of a rather deep dive (up to 120-130 m.).
- Some time ago, the population of this species of penguins was fairly widespread. Unfortunately, currently there are only about 30 colonies of this species of waterfowl birds.
Video: Spectacled Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)
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