3 Types of Penguins found in Africa! (2025)

What are the different kinds of penguins in Africa?

It’s easy to see why people are fascinated with penguins. Besides their adorable looks, these birds are unlike any other in the world!

They’re flightless birds that love to swim, they stand upright instead of hunched over, and almost all of them live in the southern hemisphere.

Keep reading to learn about EVERY type of penguin that lives on the planet, including photos and range maps!

THE 3 PENGUIN species in Africa:


#1. African Penguin

  • Spheniscus demersus

Types of penguins in Africa

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Adults are 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall and weigh 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb).
  • Their coloring is mostly black, with a white belly and stripes on the sides of the face. They have black spots on their bellies, which are unique to each individual.
  • They have smooth and aerodynamic bodies with flipper-like wings.
  • This species is easy to spot because of the pink patches of skin above its eyes.

This is one of only two penguins in Africa!

The African Penguin lives primarily on islands off the southwestern coast. In fact, the islands where they live are often called the Penguin Islands!

African Penguins are found in coastal South Africa and Namibia.

This species actively hunts in the open ocean, where they feed mostly on sardines and anchovies. These birds are hungry! Adult African Penguins consume up to 540 grams (1.19 lb) of prey daily.

African Penguins are monogamous and return to the same place to breed each year. Once their eggs are laid, both parents take turns incubating them while the other hunts.

Unfortunately, African Penguins are an endangered species due to the many threats against their population. Collection and sale of their eggs, competition for fish from fisheries, and climate change all affect their population. One of their biggest threats is oil spills. At least four major oil spills in recent history have happened in the African Penguins’ native range, causing huge declines each time.

  • Estimated Global Population: 14,700 breeding pairs

#2. King Penguin

  • Aptenodytes patagonicus

Types of penguins in Africa

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Adults are 70-100 cm (28-39 in) tall and weigh 9.3-18 kg (21-40 lb).
  • Its coloring is dark on the back, wings, and legs, with bright yellow-orange plumage at the top of its chest and around each eye. The belly is white.
  • The wings are large and flipper-like, and the beak is long and straight.

The King Penguin is the second largest penguin in the world.

Many people confuse them with the largest species, the Emperor Penguin, because they appear somewhat similar.

King Penguins live throughout the Southern Ocean, with sightings in South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and various islands.

These athletic penguins are impressive in the water! They can swim at 6.5–10 kph (4–6 mph) and dive to depths of 100-300 m (350-1000 ft). In addition, they can stay underwater for up to five minutes.

Even though they’re agile swimmers, King Penguins must be vigilant because they’re a favorite food for many sea mammals. In particular, sea lions will chase these penguins right onto the beach!

YouTube video

Like many types of penguins, King Penguins are susceptible to loss of habitat because of climate change. Even though they are currently a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, their population is expected to decline by up to 70% in the next eighty years.

  • Estimated Global Population: Between 2 and 3 million breeding pairs

#3. Moseley’s Rockhopper Penguin

  • Eudyptes moseleyi

Types of penguins in Africa

Also known as the Northern Rockhopper Penguin or Moseley’s penguin.

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Adults grow to 55 cm (22 in) and weigh about 2.4 kg (5.3 lb).
  • Their coloring is black above with white underparts and a messy, bushy yellow crest.

Moseley’s Rockhopper Penguins in Africa are commonly found on shorelines. They prefer to make burrows and nests in high grasses known as tussocks.

Moseley’s Rockhopper Penguins inhabit the Southern Ocean and breed on various islands.

They eat mostly krill, crustaceans, squid, octopus, and fish.

This penguin is classified as an endangered species. In the last 30 years, its population has decreased as it suffers from the effects of climate change, overhunting by humans, and oil pollution in the sea.

  • Estimated Global Population: 200,000 breeding pairs

Do you want to know more about penguins in Africa?


Which type of penguin in Africa is your favorite?

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