Birds Active during the day

Magellanic Penguin

Spheniscus magellanicus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

South America's most famous coastal bird, the Magellanic Penguin is a master of the surf and a diligent burrow-dweller. Named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, these tuxedoed travelers thrive in the rugged landscapes of Patagonia.

11 Sightings

2 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

61–76 cm (24–30 inches) tall; weighs between 2.7–6.5 kg (6–14 lbs)

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Colors

Blackish-grey upperparts and white underparts; features two distinct black bands on the chest and a white 'horseshoe' marking on the head

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Key Features

Two black bands between the head and breast
White horseshoe-shaped stripe running from the eye to the throat
Pink fleshy patch of bare skin around the eyes
Black bill and webbed feet with sharp claws for climbing

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6-10 AM, 4-7 PM

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Season September-March (Breeding and nesting)

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Diet A carnivorous hunter focusing on small pelagic fish like anchovies and sardines, as well as squid and krill

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Habitat Coastal shorelines, sandy or grassy slopes, and rocky islands with soil suitable for burrowing

Sightings on EverydayEarth

Magellanic Penguin Nest - Isla Tova

Apr 8, 2026

A Magellanic Penguin is seen at its nesting site under the cover of brush during the night. The bird is actively preening its feathers, twisting its neck to reach different parts of its plumage.

Magellanic Penguin Nest - Isla Tova

Apr 8, 2026

A Magellanic Penguin is seen standing still at its nest site during the night. It remains mostly stationary, occasionally tilting its head while resting under the shelter of scrubby vegetation.

Magellanic Penguin Nest - Isla Tova

Apr 8, 2026

A Magellanic Penguin stands alert under the shelter of scrubby vegetation at night. It remains mostly stationary, occasionally tilting its head and looking around its nesting area.

Magellanic Penguin Nest - Isla Tova

Apr 8, 2026

A Magellanic Penguin stands under the cover of thorny scrub at night. It remains stationary for the duration of the clip, occasionally tilting its head upward to look into the branches above.

Magellanic Penguin Nest - Isla Tova

Apr 8, 2026

A Magellanic Penguin is seen standing among low-lying scrub at night. After a brief period of standing still, it shakes its entire body and then walks directly toward the camera, providing a clear view of its banded chest markings.

Magellanic Penguin Nest - Isla Tova

Apr 8, 2026

A Magellanic Penguin stands alert at night near its nesting site. The bird turns its head several times to survey the surrounding brush, showing its distinctive facial markings clearly in the infrared light.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Magellanic Penguin Live?

Native to the southern tip of South America, the Magellanic Penguin is primarily found along the rugged coastlines of Argentina and Chile, as well as the Falkland Islands. During the winter months, these birds embark on a long migration northward, following cold currents as far as the shores of Uruguay and southern Brazil. While they are quintessential residents of the Southern Cone, they are occasionally spotted as vagrants much further afield in places like Australia, New Zealand, and even El Salvador.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

5 Countries

3.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AR Argentina CL Chile Falkland Islands UY Uruguay BR Brazil

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Recorded on EverydayEarth

location_on Chubut

2 sightings

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Behavior

Magellanic Penguins are incredibly social birds that form massive nesting colonies, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands. They are famous for their 'braying' calls, which sound remarkably like a donkey and are used by males to attract mates or defend their nesting territory. Unlike many Antarctic penguins that nest on ice, Magellanic Penguins are diligent excavators, digging deep burrows into the soil or nesting under bushes to find shade and protection from predators.

In the water, they are agile pursuit divers, capable of reaching depths of nearly 100 meters in search of prey. On land, they spend a significant amount of time preening their feathers with specialized oil from a gland near their tail, which maintains the waterproofing essential for survival in cold currents. They are generally monogamous, often returning to the same partner and the same burrow year after year after spending the winter months foraging at sea.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Magellanic Penguins, your camera should be placed low to the ground, ideally between 12 to 18 inches high. This 'penguin-eye view' is perfect for capturing their unique waddling gait and ground-level social interactions. Position the camera along established 'penguin highways'—the well-worn paths they use to travel between their burrows and the ocean. If you are monitoring a specific burrow, place the camera 5-10 feet away to avoid disturbing the parents or chicks while still getting a clear view of the entrance activity.

Because these birds inhabit harsh coastal environments, a high-quality waterproof housing and a heavy-duty tripod or secure ground mount are essential. High winds and salt spray can easily topple a lightweight setup or cloud the lens, so regular maintenance is required. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of a colony, or a telephoto setting if you are positioned further away to observe natural behaviors without causing stress to the birds. Since they are most active during the day, focus on standard daytime settings, but look for cameras with a fast trigger speed to catch them as they scuttle quickly across the sand.

Avoid using any form of food bait, as this can disrupt their natural foraging patterns and attract unwanted predators like skuas or foxes to the nesting area. Instead, look for natural bottlenecks like narrow gaps in coastal vegetation or specific beach entry points where penguins congregate before entering the water. During the peak breeding season (October through January), you'll have the highest chance of capturing chick-rearing behaviors and the chaotic energy of the colony. Always remember that these birds are protected; ensure your camera placement never blocks their path to the sea or their burrows.

Similar Species

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

Humboldt Penguin

Has only one black chest band instead of two, and lacks the prominent white horseshoe marking.

African Penguin

Found only in Africa; has a single black band and more extensive pink patches above the eyes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Magellanic Penguins are diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. They typically leave their burrows at dawn to go fishing in the ocean and return in the late afternoon or early evening to feed their chicks and socialize within the colony.

Unless you live directly on a coastal property in southern Chile or Argentina, you cannot attract them to a typical backyard. For those in their range, the best way to encourage them is to preserve natural coastal vegetation and ensure the soil remains undisturbed for burrowing, while keeping domestic pets like dogs away from the shore.

Their diet consists primarily of small fish such as anchovies, sardines, and sprats. They also consume squid and various crustaceans. They are pursuit divers, meaning they chase their prey underwater, sometimes traveling many miles from their colony to find food.

They are generally not found in suburban areas unless those areas are directly adjacent to quiet, protected coastlines. They prefer remote beaches and islands where they can dig burrows without being disturbed by human infrastructure or traffic.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the number of black bands on their chest. Magellanic Penguins have two distinct black bands between their head and white belly, whereas Humboldt Penguins usually have only one thick black band.

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