![]() ![]() Juveniles differ from adults in having blue-grey plumage with no white facial markings and no bold, delineated markings. Adults weigh on average 2.2–3.5 kg and are 60– 70 cm in height. ![]() However, males can be distinguished from females by a slightly bigger and broader bill. Males and females have the same plumage, making it difficult to differentiate between sexes. The African penguin has a black bill and shortened tail. Each African penguin has a unique and distinct pattern of black spots on the white chest that can be used to distinguish individuals from one another. African penguins have black webbed feet and a black facial mask with distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes. The white belly has a thick black stripe curving across the top of the chest, and down the flanks towards the legs. The dorsal or back part of the body part is black and the belly is white. The feathers in adults are specialised to form a thick coat of overlapping layers that assists with waterproofing, wind resistance and insulation. 10 of 2004).Īfrican penguins are flightless aquatic birds with reduced wings that are modified to form efficient flippers for swimming and they have heavy bones to enable them to dive. In South Africa, it is further listed as a protected species under the National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act (No. As a result it is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List and it is listed under Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species). The African penguin has experienced rapid population declines over the past century as a result of overexploitation for food, habitat modification of nesting sites, oil spillages, and competition for food resources with commercial fishing. ![]() The body is streamlined with modified wings that resemble flippers, which enable them to be efficient swimmers, and a thick coat with overlapping feathers that assists with waterproofing, wind resistance and insulation. It is a flightless bird that is well adapted to life at sea and land. It is a charismatic species that is known for its loud donkey-like braying noises, distinctive black and white plumage and large breeding colonies. The African penguin is endemic to coastal areas of southern Africa. The common name ’jackass’ refers to its call, which sounds similar to that of a donkey, even though most other penguins produce a similar sound. The species name demersus is Latin meaning plunging or sinking, referring to its diving behaviour. Thesaurus holdThe genus name Spheniscus is derived from the ancient Greek word sphen, which means wedge, referring to the streamlined body shape of the African penguin. clutch at somebody/something ( figurative ) Fear clutched at her heart. 2 to take hold of something suddenly, because you are afraid or in pain clutch something He gasped and clutched his stomach.to hold/hold on to/clutch/grip/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tight.to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp somebody/something firmly.to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tightly.to hold/clutch/clasp somebody/something to you.to hold/clasp somebody/something in your arms.to hold/clutch/grip/clasp something in your hand/hands. ![]()
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