Magellanic Penguinマゼランペンギン

Spheniscus magellanicusLC— Least Concern

The Magellanic penguin is a medium-sized banded penguin that breeds along the Patagonian coasts of Argentina and Chile and on the Falkland Islands, migrating north to Peru and Brazil outside the breeding season. It feeds mainly on small schooling fish such as anchovies, supplemented by squid and krill. Although listed as Least Concern, it faces mounting pressure from oil pollution, fisheries bycatch, and climate-driven shifts in prey availability.

Magellanic Penguin (reference photo)
Photo: Mcatan (Wikimedia Commons) / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Sphenisciformes / Spheniscidae Source
Size
Total length 65–72 cm
Weight
2.7–6.5 kg
Lifespan
Wild: about 10 years (long-lived individuals 15–20 years) / captive: up to 35 years
Diet
Piscivore Feeds mainly on small fish (sprat, hake, anchovy, etc.), along with squid and krill
Distribution
Breeding colonies occupy coastal Patagonia in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands; birds migrate north to waters off Peru and Brazil during winter. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • It is named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first recorded the species in 1520. Source
  • Pairs mate for life and can recognize their partners by voice alone. Source
  • Oil pollution off Argentina is estimated to kill around 42,000 Magellanic penguins annually. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 8

How to tell Penguins apart →

Nagasakipengin SuizokukanNagasakiOpened in 2001

Source

Sumida AquariumTokyoRight by Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree Line.

Source

Ishikawa DoubutsuenIshikawaAbout 60 minutes from the Kanazawa-Morimoto Interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway, about 40 minutes from the Kanazawa-Nishi Interchange, and about 20 minutes from the Komatsu Interchange.

Source

NOTOJIMA AQUARIUMIshikawaThe nearest station is Wakura-Onsen Station.

Source

Utsunomiya DoubutsuenTochigiAbout 5 minutes from the Utsunomiya IC on the Tohoku Expressway; free parking for 1,000 cars.

Source

Noichi Zoological Park of Kochi PrefectureKochiA 20-minute walk or 13-minute rental-bicycle ride from Noichi Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Gomen-Nahari Line.

Source

Kobe Suma Sea WorldHyogoOpened in 2024

Source

IKEDA ZOOOkayamaFrom the West Exit of JR Okayama Station, take an Okaden Bus bound for Chuo Byoin (Central Hospital) to the Kyoyama Iriguchi stop, then walk about 12 minutes.

Source

Former facilities

Shima MarinelandMieOpened in 1970

Source

Closed: 2021-03-31 Official Site

Latest news

6

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

Why is it called the Magellanic penguin?
It is named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first recorded the species in 1520. Source
How long do Magellanic penguins live?
They typically live around 10 years in the wild, with some reaching 15–20 years; in captivity they can live up to 30–40 years. Source
What is the biggest threat to Magellanic penguins?
Oil pollution is a major threat, estimated to kill around 42,000 birds a year off Argentina, along with fisheries bycatch and climate-driven changes in prey distribution. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 8 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org