Humboldt penguin
Spheniscus humboldti
Penguins breed in more or less large colonies. All species are flightless, live on seashores and feed on marine fish and larger invertebrates.
No other bird is as strongly tied to the water as the penguin. Some species spend up to three quarters of their lives in the sea. Their wings have developed into stiff, paddle-like flippers. This enables them to reach top speeds of 24 kilometers per hour and diving depths of over 50 meters.
Homosexual behavior is known from many animal species. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a case of "misunderstanding" or substitute sexuality due to the lack of opposite-sex partners. Same-sex couples also get together if there are enough partners of the opposite sex. Homosexual penguins know the same behavioral elements in partnership, during courtship and in the rearing of young as heterosexual animals. The only disadvantage is that they have to steal the eggs or young from heterosexual couples.
This was observed at Zurich Zoo in 2009, for example, when two male king penguins stole the newly hatched young of a very experienced 20-year-old female. However, the two thieves then took care of the young in a very exemplary and successful manner.
| Classification | Penguins (18 species), spectacled penguins (4 species) |
| Habitat | open sea, barren coasts and offshore islands |
| Bird migration | from Peru to northern Chile (700 km), swimming |
| Social structure | permanent monogamy, occasionally changing partners, Breeding in colonies |
| Diet | anchovies, mackerel, squid |
| Food acquisition | Hunting takes place by diving |
| Weight | Female 2.5 to 4 kg, male 3 to 4.5 kg |
| Body size | 45 cm |
| Clutch | 2 eggs (twice a year) |
| Nest | Bottom hollows on guano (bird droppings), rocks or in caves and rock niches |
| Breeding animals | both parents |
| Duration from egg laying to hatching | 40 to 42 days |
| Life expectancy | over 20 years |
| Use | Guano (penguin droppings as fertilizer) |
| Current population | less than 12,000 breeding pairs, enormous population fluctuations due to fluctuating food supply, but generally declining |
| At Zurich Zoo since | 1954, 183 young birds, internationally coordinated breeding (EEP) |
Distribution
How Humbolt penguins reproduce
Video: Zurich Zoo, Sandro Schönbächler
Animal voice
Sponsors
| Familie Füglistaller, Rüti ZH | |
| S. Bichsel, St. Gallen | |
| L. J. Willisch, Hagendorn | |
| St. Wermelinger, Glattpark | |
| Dr. St. Kraft, Zumikon | |
| C. Blum, Pfäffikon ZH | |
| M. Frisch, Schouweiler (Luxembourg) | |
| Wichser Akustik & Bauphysik AG, Zürich | |
| E. Loepfe, Bassersdorf | |
| B. Amstutz, Zürich | |
| I. + H. Jucker, Forch | |
| L. Thomas, Zürich | |
| D. Sprenger, Affoltern am Albis | |
| N. Rickli, Steinmaur | |
| R. Brändle, Baden | |
| Familie J. + R. Krebser, Mönchaltorf | |
| Dr. Ch. Kleisli, Fehraltorf | |
| R. Bucklar, Urdorf | |
| M. Doll-Zangl, Bülach | |
| U. Wagner, Zürich | |
| F. Meierhans, Rickenback Sulz | |
| M. Hug, Baden | |
| K. Lüthi, Bleienbach | |
| Malerhandwerk Herbert Mäder AG, Zürich | |
| P. Sonderegger, Dübendorf | |
| G. Büeler, Bonstetten | |
| J. A. Aeschbacher, Zürich | |
| U. Johannes, Russikon | |
| M. Sturzenegger, Bonstetten | |
| A. Von Escher, Bülach | |
| B. Scherrer, Regensdorf | |
| T. Peters, Zürich | |
| M. von Mentlen-Arnold, Altdorf | |
| Y. Belhi, St. Gallen | |
| R. Hug, Schaffhausen | |
| A. Wollenhaupt, Wettingen | |
| N. Weiler + G. Fankhauser, Erlenbach | |
| W. + J. Paniz, Feldmeilen | |
| A.-M. Schellenberg-Andrasek, Uetikon am See | |
| P. Fasnacht, Uster | |
| S. Wolf, Thalwil | |
| Ingenieurbüro Andreas Suter, Thalwil | |
| I. Ledergerber, Zürich | |
| Schwab Consulting GmbH, Säriswil | |
| G. Conti, Zürich | |
| K. Graber, Kloten | |
| D. Stebler, Flawil | |
| C. Schlufter, Hedingen | |
| U. Blöchlinger, Zürich | |
| M. Naville, Küsnacht | |
| M. + J. Eggenberger, Hirzel | |
| S. Nef-Kessler, Auw | |
| J. + Th. Wintsch, Tagelswangen | |
| R. Erni, Eschen FL | |
| M.- J. Donnet, Männedorf | |
| D. Scarcella, Amriswil | |
| M. Bischof, Staufen | |
| H. Knüsel-Cassard, Effretikon | |
| P. Kothe, Zürich | |
| Ch. Burgstaller Widmer, Fahrweid | |
| C. Stocker, Luzern | |
| U. Heer, Oberurnen | |
| R.Meier, Bülach | |
| P. Zanchi, Rüti | |
| E. Pareth, Zürich | |
| Familie Scheiwiller, Bonstetten | |
| Y. Kropf, Adliswil | |
| T. Müller, Lindau | |
| N. Dunkel, St. Gallen | |
| M. Hartmann, Schlieren | |
| S. Strickler, Zollikon | |
| K. Pfister + S. Janser, Volketswil | |
| Gesundheitspraxis R. Mayer GmbH, Bülach | |
| F. Streule, Elgg | |
| F. Brandau, Unterengstringen | |
| A. Keller, Kloten | |
| M. Zwygart, Neftenbach | |
| B. Moor, Teufen ZH | |
| F. Scherrer, Cham | |
| M. T. Bui, Luzern | |
| R. Eberle-Mästinger, Weinfelden | |
| L. Audergon, Zuckenriet | |
| E. Wünsche, Boppelsen | |
| E. + M. Rosenberger-Lüthi, Aathal | |
| S. Keller, Zürich | |
| M. Tschaggelar, Regensdorf | |
| D. Birenbaum, Fällanden | |
| M. A. Frick, Zürich | |
| P. Berni, Vals | |
| T. Dürst, Zürich | |
| E. Niggli, Zürich | |
| M. Bruttel, Glattpark | |
| N. Schmidt, Wetzikon | |
| C. Jenny-Gebs, Zürich | |
| B. + F. Chatelain, Birmensdorf | |
| M. Eisenlohr, Au ZH |
Price for a sponsorship: CHF 500.–
Babies
Conservation status
Breeding programme
