The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a bird of the penguin family, Spheniscidae, in the order Sphenisciformes.
Quick answer
The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is the only penguin that breeds in Africa, nesting on the coasts and islands of South Africa and Namibia. It has a black chest band, black spots on a white belly and pink skin above the eyes. In 2024 it was listed as Critically Endangered, because competition with fisheries and shifting fish stocks have caused an extremely rapid decline to about 19,800 mature birds.
Top questions about the African Penguin
African Penguin facts at a glance
- Weight 3.1 kg
- Length 45 cm
- Lifespan 18 years
| Scientific name | Spheniscus demersus |
|---|---|
| Other names | Cape penguin, jackass penguin |
| Diet | Sardines, anchovies and other small shoaling fish |
| Habitat | Rocky islands and coasts with cool, food-rich seas |
| Height | About 45 cm |
| Weight | Average about 3.1 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–27 years in the wild |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List, assessed 2024) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae |
| Genus | Spheniscus |
Where it lives
The african penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is native to Coasts and offshore islands of southern Namibia and South Africa. — recorded across Africa, Oceans in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a african penguin?
An adult african penguin measures 45 cm long — about 26% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 3.1 kg, about 4% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of african penguins called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of African Penguins is called a colony. It is also known as a raft.
Baby name
A baby African Penguin is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Identification
African penguins are black and white with a horseshoe-shaped white band running from the eyes around the cheeks, a black band across the chest and a scatter of black spots on the belly that is different for every bird. Bare pink skin above each eye helps them lose heat in the sun.
Where they live
They breed only along the coast of southern Namibia and South Africa, mostly on offshore islands, with famous mainland colonies at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town and Stony Point at Betty's Bay. They feed in the cold, nutrient-rich Benguela Current.
Why the population collapsed
BirdLife International lists the African penguin as Critically Endangered (2024) because of an extremely rapid decline, probably caused mainly by competition with commercial fisheries for sardines and anchovies and by climate-related shifts in where those fish occur. Historical guano and egg collection had already removed much of the population.
What is being done
Conservation work includes closing fishing around key colonies, artificial nest boxes to replace lost guano burrows, rescue and rehabilitation of oiled and abandoned birds, and efforts to set up new colonies. With about 19,800 mature birds left, the species is at real risk of extinction in the wild.
Explore the African Penguin
Close relatives
- Emperor Penguin Same family
- Little Penguin Same family
- Gentoo Penguin Same family
- King Penguin Same family
Collections
Range & geography
Did you know? African Penguin facts
- The pattern of black spots on each penguin's chest is unique, like a fingerprint.
- It is the only penguin that breeds on the African continent.
Conservation status of the African Penguin
The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Critically Endangered (CR) is the highest-risk category the IUCN Red List assigns to a wild species before Extinct in the Wild. It means a species faces an extremely high probability of extinction — usually because its population has collapsed, its range has shrunk drastically, or very few mature individuals remain. Species at this level typically depend on active conservation to survive.
Main threats to the African penguin
- Competition with commercial fisheries for sardines and anchovies
- Climate-driven shifts in the location of prey fish
African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2024. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the African Penguin
Why is it called a jackass penguin?
Its loud, braying call sounds like a donkey. That old name was replaced by 'African penguin' because several South American penguins bray too.
Is the African penguin endangered?
Yes. It was uplisted to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2024, making it the first penguin species in that category.
How many African penguins are left?
BirdLife International's 2024 assessment estimates about 19,800 mature individuals, and the number is falling.
Where can you see African penguins?
At colonies in South Africa such as Boulders Beach in Simon's Town and Stony Point in Betty's Bay.
What is a group of african penguins called?
A group of African Penguins is called a colony. It is also known as a raft.
What is a baby african penguin called?
A baby African Penguin is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the African Penguin:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Critically Endangered) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Spheniscus demersus, most recently assessed in 2024.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Spheniscus demersus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Spheniscus demersus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for African Penguin. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: African Penguin Spheniscus demersus. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Critically Endangered (assessed 2024), population estimate and trend.
- Animal Diversity Web: Spheniscus demersus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Size, lifespan and diet.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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