Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), Fernandina Island.
Image: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin found north of the equator and the rarest penguin species. It is assessed as Endangered.
It depends on cool, food-rich currents around the islands.
Range & habitat
The Galápagos Islands, on the equator.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Ocean changes that reduce food (such as El Niño)
- Introduced predators and disease
- Bycatch
Why it matters
Living at the very edge of where penguins can survive, the Galápagos penguin is acutely sensitive to ocean change and a barometer for the islands' marine ecosystem.
Gallery
Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), Isabela Island.
Image: putneymark, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Galápagos Penguin
- IUCN Red List — look up Galápagos Penguin (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a penguin live on the equator?
Why is the Galápagos penguin Endangered?
Last updated: