African penguin

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African penguin

bird

Also known as: Cape penguin, Spheniscus demersus, black-footed penguin, jackass penguin

Written by John P. Rafferty

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Dec 1, 2024 • Article History

Also called:: black-footed penguin, Cape penguin, or jackass penguin

Related Topics:: Spheniscus

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African penguin, (Spheniscus demersus), species of penguin (order Sphenisciformes) characterized by a single band of black feathers cutting across the breast and a circle of featherless skin that completely surrounds each eye. The species is so named because it inhabits several locations along the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. African penguins can reach up to 60–68 cm (about 24–27 inches) in length and weigh up to 3.7–4 kg (about 8–9 pounds), the males being slightly larger than the females. As in other members of the genus Spheniscus, the plumage covering the chin and back is black, and most of ...(100 of 624 words)

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