Native to the west coasts of South America, the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) takes its name from the Humboldt Current, itself named after the Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.

This cold ocean current originates in Antarctica and flows along the coasts of Chile and Peru, providing the penguins with waters rich in fish (such as anchovies and herring), the main food source for this opportunistic predator.

Humboldt penguins are easily recognized by the pink fleshy patch around the base of their beak. Their chest and belly are white, crossed by a black band, and marked with small black spots that make it possible to distinguish individuals from one another.

Humboldt penguin cannot fly. However, its stiff, streamlined wings allow it to swim at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Its different layers of feathers also provide excellent thermal insulation, while the layer of air between the skin and the feathers gives it good buoyancy.

Classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, the Humboldt penguin faces many threats, including accidental capture in fishing nets, competition with fisheries for food resources, and the climatic phenomenon El Niño.

Since 2025, the species has even been considered endangered in Chile, where only around 2,000 breeding pairs remain.

Estimated at one million individuals in the 19th century, its global population in the wild has steadily declined over the years. Today, there are thought to be no more than 10,000 breeding pairs left, the lowest estimate ever recorded…