Explore the Heart of South Africa: Nature, Culture, Adventure
African Penguin
Afrikaans name: Brilpikkewyn
Photo © Steven Herbert
Spheniscus demersus
No, the above photo's were not taken in an enclosure in a zoo - this is where these penguins choose to live and breed at Boulders Beach with the sea a stones throw away.
The African Penguin has been known as the Jackass Penguin for years. This name arises from its call which sounds somewhat like a donkey. It is also known as the Black-footed Penguin.
The African Penguin is found along the coast of South Africa and Namibia. It occurs on a number of different islands off the coast but there are colonies on the mainland at Boulders Beach and Betty's Bay.
The main food of this cute penguin is fish, squid and some crustaceans. These are caught at sea and it may swim up to 20 km from the shore to feed.
Pairs stick together and return to the same area to breed each year. Two eggs are normally laid. These may be laid under a bush or behind rocks.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Spheniscus demersus |
| 2nd | 2 | Spheniscus demersus |
| 3rd | 2 | Spheniscus demersus |
| 4th | 2 | Spheniscus demersus |
| 5th | 3 | Spheniscus demersus |
| 6th | 3 | Spheniscus demersus |
| 7th | 476 | Spheniscus demersus |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Jackass Penguin |
| 2nd | 2 | Jackass Penguin |
| 3rd | 2 | Jackass Penguin |
| 4th | 2 | Jackass Penguin |
| 5th | 3 | Jackass Penguin |
| 6th | 3 | Jackass Penguin |
| 7th | 476 | African Penguin |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Pikkewyn |
| 2nd | 2 | Pikkewyn |
| 3rd | 2 | Pikkewyn |
| 4th | 2 | Pikkewyn |
| 5th | 3 | Brilpikkewyn |
| 6th | 3 | Brilpikkewyn |
| 7th | 476 | Brilpikkewyn |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 20Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 30
Two Oceans - Author: Branch, Griffiths, Branch and Beckley - Published: 2010 - Page: 356
The Coastal Guide of South Africa - Author: Jacana Media - Published: 2007 - Page: 96
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 2
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 1
Southern Africa s Threatened Wildlife - Author: John Ledger - Published: 1990 - Page: 44
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 125
Seabirds - Author: Peter Harrison - Published: 1983 - Page: 206
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 131
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 32
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 22
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 3
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 2
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 3
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 188
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 2
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 2
Rare Birds of the World - Author: Guy Mountford & Norman Arlott - Published: 1988 - Page: 106
Questions and Answers - Endangered Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: John Comrie-Greig - Published: 1992 - Page: 24
Ocean Birds - Author: Lars Lofgren - Published: 1984 - Page: 55
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 4
Nature in the Balance - Author: Rob Marsh - Published: 1991 - Page: 35
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 28
Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 28
Getaway - Vol 31 No 07 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 22
Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 32
Everyone s Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 86
Getaway - Vol 29 No 07 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 58
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 6
Country Life - Issue 245 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 56
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 24
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 29
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 1
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 36
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 200
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 21
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 200
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