Penguins are seabirds that have lost the ability to fly, however, their wings are adapted for aquatic life and diving thanks to their completely hydrodynamic shape. Although on land these birds may seem clumsy, in the water they are excellent swimmers and their bodies have both morphological and physiological adaptations for aquatic life. They are the only representatives of the order Sphenisciformes, which currently has about 13 species that are distributed mainly in the southern hemisphere, except for the Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), which comes from, as its name suggests, from the Galapagos Islands.
If you want to continue learning about these wonderful birds, continue reading this article on our site and we will tell you about the penguins in danger of extinction.
Types of endangered penguins
As we mentioned earlier, currently there are 13 species of penguins throughout the southern hemisphere, and they nest on the coasts of Antarctica, New Zealand, South Australia, South Africa, all sub-Antarctic Islands, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentine Patagonia. Occasionally, when it is not breeding season, individuals can be found a little further north.
Of the total number of penguin species, all are protected under legal frameworks within their distribution area, and below we will name the 9 species that are categorized under some criteria Threat.
Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
It is the largest of the penguins, reaching a length of 120 cm with a weight of more than 40 kg, which varies with sex. It is endemic to Antarctica and is currently categorized as Near Threatened, since it is considered a species Very sensitive to climate changethat has been causing drastic changes in its environment, producing a decrease in its food sources, warmer temperatures, reduction in ice cover.
This species is considered a “flagship species”, that is, from its conservation, the entire ecosystem where it lives, including other animal species, is conserved.
In this other article we also talk about the incubation and environment of the emperor penguin.
Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)
Another animal in danger of extinction is the Humboldt penguin. It is a medium-sized species that measures 50 to 75 cm. It inhabits the Pacific Ocean, along the west coast of South America in Peru and Chile, which is traversed by the Humboldt Current, with Chile being the site with the largest colonyof this species.
It is categorized as vulnerable species and its populations are threatened by the decrease in their food sources, the destruction of their habitat, hunting and illegal trade, being a species that is often trapped for pets.
Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
It is the second smallest penguin species, reaching about 45 cm in length. Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, it survives thanks to the cold temperatures that come from the Humboldt Current and the great depths brought by the Cromwell Current.
The Galapagos penguin is in danger of extinction, since its populations suffer the changes brought about by the El Niño current, which produces a reduction in the availability of gregarious fish on which it feeds. Also contamination by hydrocarbons could be causing its drastic decrease.
You may also be interested in How are penguins born?
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)
Another penguin in danger of extinction is the Magellanic penguin. It is a medium-sized penguin species that measures 30 to 45 cm in length. It nests on the Malvinas Islands and on the coasts and islands of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile. Then, it migrates north in winter, reaching the waters of Uruguay and southeastern Brazil with more temperate waters.
In Punta Tombo, in Argentina, are the largest and most abundant colonies of this species, and it is the area where thousands of individuals gather to reproduce. This species is listed as almost threatened and protected in the Natural Reserves of Argentina and Chile, regulating the entry of tourists in the nesting areas.
You may also be interested Animals in danger of extinction in Chile.
Antipodean Penguin (Eudyptes sclateri)
Among the penguin species in danger of extinction is the Antipodean penguin, a medium-sized penguin measuring 50 to 70 cm. It inhabits New Zealand, in the archipelagos of the Antipodes Islands and the Bounty Islands.
It is in danger of extinction, since, as it has a very restricted breeding area, its populations are very vulnerable to changes of the environment, so this produces its decrease.
Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)
Medium-sized penguin, about 50 to 70 cm long, very similar to the rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome). It is distributed and breeds in southern Chile, in the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands Island, Bouvet Island, South Africa's Prince Edward Islands, the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard and McDonald Islands and sometimes on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Although it is a species with very large populations, is categorized as vulnerable, being the main threat, as well as for most species in the South Seas, the impact of industrial fishing and oil pollution.
Northern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes moseleyi)
We continue this list of types of penguins in danger of extinction with the northern rockhopper penguin, a species whose population nests in the Tristan da Cunha Archipelago and Gough Island, in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is categorized as endangered, since its current population has been reduced by 90% since recent decades, possibly due to climate change, which produces changes in the marine ecosystem and overexploitation of commercial fishing.
On the other hand, other factors that could be affecting this species are pollution (oil spills), disturbance from ecotourism, egg collection, mouse predation, and subantarctic fur seal predation and competition.
In this other article we explain Where do penguins live?
Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)
This is the smallest of the crested penguins and is about 50 cm long. There are two subspecies that are distributed in different areas: the subspecies Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome inhabits southern Chile, the Malvinas Islands, Isla de los Estados and other islands in southern Chile. Argentina; on the other hand, the subspecies Eudyptes chrysocome filholi breeds on the Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island, Campbell Islands, New Zealand, and the Antipodes Islands.
is categorized as vulnerable due to factors similar to the rest of the threatened species and that they are very sensitive to changes in the temperature of the ocean waters.
Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus)
Finally, another of the penguin species in danger of extinction is the Snares penguin. It is a very similar species to the previous one. It measures 50 to 70 cm and is native to New Zealand, although they can occasionally be seen off the coast of Tasmania, South Australia, the Chatham Islands and the Stewart Island.
Categorized as vulnerable because its breeding range is limited to a small group of islands. Other potential threats include the introduction of new predators, overfishing leading to a decrease in their food sources, global warming, and pollution.
