African Penguin

The African penguin is the only penguin species that breeds on the African continent, nesting along the coasts and offshore islands of South Africa and Namibia. Also known historically as the jackass penguin for its donkey-like braying call, it has a distinctive black band and spots across its white chest, a pattern unique to each individual. It forms colonies on islands and mainland sites such as Boulders Beach, digging burrows or nesting under vegetation and boulders to shield eggs and chicks from the sun. Its population has declined sharply over the past century due to historical egg collecting, guano harvesting that removed nesting material, and competition with commercial fisheries for the small pelagic fish it depends on.