12 Countries Where Penguins Are Native

Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Although all penguin species are native to the southern hemisphere, they are not found only in cold climates, such as Antarctica. In fact, only a few species of penguin live so far south. Several species are found in the temperate zone, and one species, the Galápagos Penguin, lives near the equator. The territory of Antarctica is not on  the list, because Antarctica is not a country.

1. Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)

Galapagos Penguins  photo source

There are 17 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Ecuador: Humboldt Penguin and Galapagos Penguin.

* The Galapagos Penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It is the only penguin that lives north of the equator in the wild; it can survive due to the cool temperatures resulting from the Humboldt Current and cool waters from great depths brought up by the Cromwell Current.

2. Peru

Habitats of Humboldt Penguins in Peru  source

There are 2 species of penguins which occur in Peru: King Penguin and Humboldt Penguin.

* The Humboldt penguin is often called the Peruvian penguin, although they are also found in Chile. It is found on the rugged coast and offshore islands of Chile and Peru. The penguin is named after the cold water current it swims in, which is itself named after Alexander von Humboldt, an explorer.

3. Chile

Magellanic penguin with six chicks  photo source

There are 10 species of penguins which occur in Chile: King Penguin, Emperor Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin, Macaroni Penguin, Little Penguin, Humboldt Penguin and Magellanic Penguin.

* The Magellanic Penguin is a South American penguin, breeding in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands, with some migrating to Brazil where they are occasionally seen as far north as Rio de Janeiro.

4. Argentina

An Emperor Penguin can hold its breath for 20 minutes, and dive to depths of over 550 m (1,800 ft) source

There are 7 species of penguins which occur in Argentina: King Penguin, Emperor Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin, Macaroni Penguin and Magellanic Penguin.
* The Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species. The male and female are similar in plumage and size, reaching 122 cm (48 in) in height and weighing anywhere from 22 to 45 kg (49 to 99 lb).

5. Uruguay

King Penguin and his chicks  photo source

There are 3 species of penguins which occur in Uruguay: King Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin and Magellanic Penguin.
* The King Penguin is the second largest species of penguin at about 11 to 16 kg (24 to 35 lb), second only to the Emperor Penguin.

6. Brasil

Penguin colony near the equator, Brasil  photo source

There is only one penguin species which occurs in Brasil - Magellanic Penguin and 3 species which occur rare or accidental: King Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin and Macaroni Penguin.

7. Angola

African Penguins  photo source

There is only one penguin species which occurs in Angola - African Penguin.
* Also known as the Black-footed Penguin, African Penguin is a species of penguin, confined to southern African waters. It is also widely known as the "Jackass" Penguin for its donkey-like bray, although several species of South American penguins produce the same sound.

8. Namibia

Little Penguins  photo source

There are 2 species of penguins which occur in Namibia: Little Penguin and African Penguin.
* The Little Penguin is the smallest species of penguin. The penguin, which usually grows to an average of 33 cm (13 in) in height and 43 cm (17 in) in length, is found on the coastlines of southern Australia, New Zealand and Namibia, with possible records from Chile.

9. South Africa

Habitats of African Penguins in South Africa  source

There are 4 species of penguins which occur rare or accidental in South Africa: King Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin, Macaroni Penguin and African Penguin (endangered species).
* The African Penguin population is in rapid decline in South Africa. In 2008 the population reached an all-time low of 26,000 breeding pairs, down from an estimated two million pairs at the turn of the 20th century.

10. Mozambique

African penguin chicks moulting  photo source

There is only one penguin species which occurs in Mozambique - African Penguin. 

11. Australia

Distribution of Little Penguin: Australia & New Zealand  source

Unlike most other penguins, the Little Penguin does not inhabit the continent of Antarctica. Instead, they are found on Australia's southern coast and on the shorelines of New Zealand (also, some parts of Africa and South America), where the temperatures are warmer and the climate not as harsh. On average the temperature in the Little Penguin's habitat ranges from around 10-15 degrees Celsius in winter to 25-30 degrees Celsius in summer. The Little Penguin is the only penguin to breed in Australia, while another ten species have been recorded as vagrants: King Penguin , Emperor Penguin, Gentoo Penguin, Adelie Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, Rockhopper Penguin, Fiordland Penguin, Erect-crested Penguin, Macaroni Penguin and Magellanic Penguin.

12. New Zealand

Pair of Yellow-eyed Penguins  photo source

There are 7 species of penguins which occur in New  Zealand: Rockhopper Penguin, Tawaki or Fiordland Penguin, Snares Penguin, Erect-crested Penguin,  Yellow-eyed Penguin, White-flippered Penguin and Blue Penguin. Other penguin species occur rarely or accidentally. 
* The Yellow-eyed Penguin or Hoiho is a penguin native to New Zealand. Previously thought closely related to the Little Penguin, molecular research has shown it more closely related to penguins of the genus Eudyptes. Like most other penguins, it is mainly piscivorous.

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