Penguins Speniscidae
There are 6 genera in the family. All 17 species of penguins are flightless and aquatic. Despite popular belief, they are not just restricted to the Antarctica. They are also found in southern tropical waters, including the Galapagos Penguin which actually lives on the equator. The Erect-crested Penguin Eudyptes sclateri, Yellow-eyed Penguin Megadyptes antipodes, and the Galapagos Penguin Spheniscus mendiculus, are all considered endangered. The Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrysocome, Fiordland Crested Penguin Eudyptes pachyrhynchus, Snares Crested Penguin Eudyptes robustus, Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus, Royal Penguin Eudyptes schlegeli, African Penguin Spheniscus demersus, and the Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus huboldti, are all vulnerable. Another two species, the Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua and the Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus are classified as near-threatened.


Pygoscelis

There are 3 species in this genus.

The Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua is a bird of the Antarctic Peninsula and subantarctic islands. Their numbers are decreasing at an alarming rate. This bird was one of many that I observed during the mid-1980's on Bird Island, South Georgia, where during the past twenty five years the population has dropped by 67%. For more information about the decline of the Gentoo Penguin, go to Falklands Conservation



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Tony@artfullbirds.com