Birds
African penguin
Spheniscus demersus
The African penguin is the only penguin that breeds in Africa. Recognisable by the black horseshoe band across its chest and its donkey-like braying call, it is facing a dire survival crisis.
In short
The african penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a species with IUCN conservation status CR (Critically endangered). It lives along the coasts and islands of South Africa and Namibia, nesting in colonies on the ground or in burrows. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the african penguin live?
It lives along the coasts and islands of South Africa and Namibia, nesting in colonies on the ground or in burrows. It feeds on small pelagic fish such as anchovies and sardines, which it chases with agile underwater swimming.
Is the african penguin endangered?
In 2024 the IUCN Red List uplisted it to Critically Endangered (CR): the population has collapsed by over 97% and fallen below 10,000 breeding pairs. The main causes are food shortage (from overfishing and ocean change) and pollution.
Facts about the african penguin
- It is the only penguin that breeds on the African continent.
- Its donkey-like bray earned it the name ‘jackass penguin’.
- In 2024 it was declared Critically Endangered — the first penguin to reach this category.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Spheniscus demersus (Critically Endangered) · BirdLife International
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.