Humboldt penguin

Humboldt penguinA South American penguin recognized by a dark stripe across its white front.Salt leaves through the billGlands above the eyes remove excess salt, which is expelled through the bill.Feathers and salt in a life at seaHumboldt penguins catch fish and squid at sea and return to burrows to breed. Glands above the eyes remove excess salt, which leaves through the bill. Outer feathers repel water and wind, while the inner layer provides insulation for this life between sea and shore.At the Punta San Juan colony in Peru, records from 1993–1997 showed egg laying from mid-March to the first week of December. There were two annual laying peaks, the first in April and the second between early August and late September. Some pairs laid more than one clutch in a year.Partners recognise one another by calls and share incubation. Chicks remain in the nest, fed by their parents, until their feathers develop.Keeping it safeAn extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.Breeding depends on predictable food near nesting sites. Overfishing of prey fish is a threat.