Birds Active during the day

African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The only penguin species native to Africa, these 'tuxedoed' coastal residents are as famous for their donkey-like bray as they are for their resilient spirit and unique belly spots.

10 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall; 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb)

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Colors

Black back and flippers with white underparts; black U-shaped band across the chest; pink skin patches above eyes.

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Key Features

Pink salt-excreting glands above eyes
Single black horseshoe-shaped chest band
Unique black spotting pattern on the belly
Black facial mask with a white border

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-9 AM, 4-7 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Specialist hunters of small shoaling fish, particularly sardines (pilchards) and anchovies, but they also eat squid and small crustaceans.

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Habitat Coastal islands, rocky shorelines, and sandy beaches with proximity to cold, nutrient-rich currents.

public Geographic range

Where Does the African Penguin Live?

The African Penguin is the only penguin species found on the African continent, natively inhabiting the southwestern coast. Its range extends from the central coast of Namibia down to Algoa Bay near Port Elizabeth in South Africa. While they primarily nest on offshore islands to avoid land-based predators, famous mainland colonies exist in places like Boulders Beach and Stony Point, where they live right on the edge of suburban areas.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries

32K km² Range

Endangered Conservation

ZA South Africa NA Namibia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

African Penguins are highly social and colonial birds known for their charismatic waddle on land and incredible agility in the water. They are often called 'jackass penguins' due to their loud, donkey-like braying, which they use to communicate within the colony and establish nesting territories. They are monogamous and typically return to the same mate and nesting site year after year, showing a high degree of site fidelity.

During the day, they are often seen 'rafting' in groups offshore or sunning themselves on rocks. When breeding, they spend significant time guarding their nests, which are often built in burrows, under bushes, or even in man-made nesting boxes. While they are wild animals, some populations have become habituated to human presence in coastal towns, though they remain protective of their personal space.

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Camera Tips

For those lucky enough to live in South African coastal enclaves like Simon's Town, African Penguins can be remarkably easy to capture on camera. The most important tip is placement height: set your camera very low, roughly 10-15 inches (25-40 cm) off the ground. This eye-level perspective captures their unique facial expressions and waddling movement much better than a high angle. Focus your camera on established 'penguin paths'—well-worn tracks through garden vegetation or sandy gaps between rocks that lead to the ocean.

Timing is everything with these birds. Program your camera to be most sensitive during the 'commute' times: just after sunrise when the colony heads out to sea, and late afternoon when they return with full bellies. Because they spend a lot of time in their burrows or under bushes during the heat of the day, a camera placed near a shaded nesting area can capture fascinating social interactions. However, avoid placing cameras directly inside a nesting burrow, as this can cause significant stress to the birds.

Use a camera with a fast trigger speed (0.3s or less) to catch them as they move quickly through the frame. Since penguins are active socially even after dark, ensure your camera uses 'No-Glow' or invisible black IR flash. Standard white flashes or even 'Low-Glow' red IR can startle them and disrupt their night vision. If you are using a camera in a garden setting, no bait is needed—they are strictly fish-eaters and won't be attracted to birdseed or fruit. Instead, focus on providing a clear line of sight to their natural transit routes.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with African Penguin.

Magellanic Penguin

The Magellanic Penguin is slightly larger and has two black bands on its chest, whereas the African Penguin has only one.

Humboldt Penguin

Humboldts have a thicker black chest band and more extensive pink skin around the base of the bill compared to the African Penguin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

African Penguins are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. Their peak activity occurs in the early morning as they leave for the ocean and late afternoon when they return to their colonies. They spend much of the midday resting to avoid the heat.

You cannot 'attract' penguins like songbirds, as they have specific nesting needs and do not eat garden food. However, if you live in their native range, providing a safe, predator-free environment and installing approved artificial nesting boxes can encourage them to settle nearby.

Their diet consists almost entirely of small, oily marine fish, specifically anchovies and sardines (pilchards). They may occasionally hunt for squid or small crustaceans if fish are scarce.

They are only found in very specific suburban coastal areas in South Africa, such as Simon's Town and Betty’s Bay. In these locations, they can be seen walking on roads and nesting in residential gardens near the beach.

Look for the single black band across the chest and the distinctive pink patches above the eyes. They are smaller than Antarctic species and are the only penguin you will find naturally occurring in the wild in Africa.

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