Meet the Magellanic Penguin

The Magellanic penguin is one of the most charming and widely seen penguins in the Falkland Islands. Named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first documented them in 1520, these medium-sized penguins belong to the banded group—distinguished by the two black bands that run across their white chests.

Magellanics are burrow-nesters, often digging deep into the soil or using natural crevices to shelter their nests from predators and the elements. During the breeding season, entire hillsides can become dotted with burrows, with adults shuffling back and forth from the sea to feed their growing chicks.

In the Falklands, their diet consists mainly of small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They're agile swimmers, capable of diving over 50 meters deep in search of prey, and can travel long distances from shore during foraging trips.

They’re often the first penguins visitors see in the Falklands, with colonies scattered across the islands' coasts. Their braying calls (which sound surprisingly like a donkey) echo across the land, adding to their charm. With their bold personalities and curious nature, Magellanic penguins are a firm favorite—and a delightful introduction to the wild seabird life of the South Atlantic.