The population of Humboldt penguins is thought to be declining. One of the reasons is due to El Niqo increasing water temperatures and reducing food supply.

Statistics
Height: 65-70cm (25.5-27.5in), Weight: 4kg (8.8lb).

Physical description
They have a broad black band that runs in an inverted horseshoe on their fronts with a few black spots on their chests.

Distribution
They breed on the Pacific coast of South America and offshore islands of Chile and Peru.

Diet
Their diet consists of small fish, including anchovy and sardines, and squid.

Behaviour
Humboldt penguins dig burrows underground to protect themselves and their eggs from the hot sun and predation.

Reproduction
They breed in small colonies, and lay two eggs. Occasionally both of these are reared, but often only one is looked after by the parents.

Conservation status
Humboldt penguins are classified as Vulnerable by the 2000 Red List of Threatened Species. They are suffering due to overfishing of prey species, egg collecting, hunting, loss of habitat and trading of live animals for zoos and collections. The population is estimated at 13,000 individuals.