Galapagos+Penguin

= Galapagos Penguin===

(//Spheniscus mendiculus//)
==The Galapagos may look like the Magellanic but it is smaller and the black markings on the belly are thinner. They are found on the Galapagos Islands and on Isabela Island just north of the Equator. They are the penguins that live the farthest north.== =Size:=

stands only 16 to 18 inches (40 to 45 cm) tall.
[|http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/penguins/galap.html]

=Diet:=
 * Mullet, sardines, and squid

http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/penguins/galapagos.shtml**

=**Population:**=

The population is 3,000 birds.

[| http://www.whaletimes.org/Galapagospeng.htm]

=Lifspan:=

15 to 20 years.

http://www.wildinfo.com/facts/Galapagospenguin.asp?page=/facts/Galapagospenguin.asp&i_id=297

=Habitat:=


 * They only occur in the Galapagos Islands**

http://www.penguins.cl/galapagos-penguins.htm

=Range:=

=Coasts of Chile & Argentina; Faulkland Islands=

[|http://www.pegasus.rutgers.edu/~nolimits/penguins.html#GALAPAGOS]

Offspring:
Galapagos penguins breed on the Galapagos Islands on the equator (and on the north coast of Isabela Island just north of the equator!). There are no accurate population censuses available, The breeding population is estimated to be around 1,000 pairs and is believed to be declining.

http://www.adelie.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/species_notes/galap.htm

Interseting facts:

1. Nests are rudimentary burrows. Two eggs are usually laid but only one chick reared. Incubation takes 38 to 40 days shared equally between both parents. Chicks are brooded and guarded for 30 days after hatching with feeding and guard duties shared between the parents. Chicks moult and go to sea when 60 to 65 days old.

2. Galapagos Penguins have a narrow white band from the eye extending under the chin and a black band that runs in an inverted horseshoe shape around their fronts. Although the pattern of banding on Galapagos penguins is similar to that on Magellanic Penguins, they are easily distinguished. Magellanic Penguins are considerably larger than Galapagos Penguins and the main black band around the front is much narrower on Galapagos Penguins. http://www.adelie.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/species_notes/galap.htm

3. The distinguishing features of the Galapagos penguins include: a narrow white band extending from the eye to under the chin and a black band that runs in an upside-down horseshoe shape around their fronts. Although the pattern of banding on Galapagos penguins is similar to that on [|Magellanic penguins], the Galapagos penguins are considerably smaller and the main black band around their front is much thinner. The bill is longer and more slender than the bills of its other temperate region cousins. Adult penguins have a bluish-black head, back, and flippers when new. Older worn feathers, a brown color and are somewhat ragged in appearance.

http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/penguins/galapagos.shtml

=More link:=

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/birds-penguins.html