The Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is named after the cold water current it swims in. It’s a South American (warm climate) species that normally breeds in Peru and Chile, but they live happily here in St Andrews too!
Humboldts are medium-sized penguins and, unlike their royal cousins the Kings and the Emperors who can grow to almost 1 metre tall, will be fully grown at between 56–70 cm in height and a weight of around 4 or 5 kg.
Their black heads are distinguished by a white border that runs from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin, and is separated from their white belly by a band of black feathers – that why they’re sometimes known as Banded Penguins!.
Our ppppeckish penguins would love you to feed them (Covid permitting), including our adorable baby penguin Nathaniel (looking cute there on the right).