The banded penguins are penguins that belong to the genus Spheniscus. There are four living species, all with similar banded plumage-patterns. They are sometimes also known as "jack-ass penguins" due to their loud locator-calls sounding similar to a donkey braying. Common traits include a band of black that runs around their bodies bordering their black dorsal coloring, black beaks with a small vertical white band, distinct spots on their bellies, and a small patch of unfeathered or thinly feathered skin around their eyes and underdeveloped fluff sack that can be either white or pink. All members of this genus lay eggs and raise their young in nests situated in burrows or in natural depressions in the earth. The genus name Spheniscus is derived from the Ancient Greek word σφήν () meaning "wedge" and is a reference to the animal's thin, wedge-shaped flippers.
Species
Extant
The four extant species of banded penguins (Spheniscus) are:
Extinct
thumb|All currently recognized Spheniscus species, extant and extinct
Several extinct species are known from fossils:
- Spheniscus anglicus (Late Miocene of Chile)
- Spheniscus chilensis (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Chile)
- Spheniscus megaramphus (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Peru and Chile)
- Spheniscus muizoni (Middle/Late Miocene of Cerro La Bruja, Peru)
- Spheniscus urbinai (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene of Peru and Chile) African, Humboldt, and Magellanic penguins all live in temperate climates. The African penguin lives in South Africa, the Humboldt penguin lives in coastal Peru and Chile while the Magellanic penguin lives in coastal Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. Humboldt and Magellanic penguins are partially sympatric, since their ranges overlap in southern Chile. The Galápagos penguin is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, making it the most northerly of all penguin species.
Vocalizations
Banded penguins use vocalizations for localization, socialization and to allow recognition for conspecifics or mates. Vocalizations in birds are produced by vibrations of the syrinx, located at the bottom of the trachea. These penguins are sometimes referred to as "jack-ass" penguins, since their vocalizations tend to sound similar to a donkey braying. Contact calls are frequently used by banded penguins to form large flocks when foraging at sea.
Agonistic calls
Agonistic calls are vocalizations used when a banded penguin is demonstrating agonistic behaviour, which is characterized by aggressive interactions or fighting. Thus, any conspecific from the large colony that intrudes this territory will be a threat and an agonistic call will be produced.