Are there Penguins in Argentina?
Almost all the 17 species of living penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere. Argentina is in the southern part of South America which is present in the Southern Hemisphere. So, there are penguins’ habitats in Argentina.
There are four species of penguins that live in Argentina; Magellanic, Gentoo, Macaroni and Southern rockhopper penguins are the four different species of penguins that live in and around Argentina.
Magellanic penguins are widespread in Argentina and Chile. They are increasing in numbers in recent days, which is one of the good news about Magellanic penguins.
There are plenty of sites in Argentina to see the Magellanic penguins. Peninsula Valdez, Punta Tombo, Cabo Virgenes, Monte Leon, Puerto Deseado are the main places to have a glimpse of Magellanic penguins in Argentina.
Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands together have the world population of more than 1, 00,000 breeding sites of Magellanic penguins.
Macaroni penguins make a population of 9 breeding sites in Argentina along with Chile. They make a total of 12,000 breeding pairs. The colonies of Argentina and Chile are not tourist-friendly, and they are difficult places to reach by the tourists.
Southern rockhopper penguins found at 15 breeding sites around Argentina and Chile. Above the Southern part of South America, we can find southern rockhopper penguins in only one place near Puerto Deseado of Argentina.
Staten Island colony is expanding, and hence, the Southern Rockhopper penguin population is increasing in the region where Gentoo penguins have two small colonies with few breeding pairs in Argentina. The Staten Island and the Hammer Island in Argentina together make 35 breeding pairs.
Almost all the four species, Magellanic, Macaroni, Southern Rockhopper, and Gentoo penguins are present in the east coast of Argentina.
Ushuaia in Argentina is one of the wonderful places to see the adorable penguins. Ushuaia is on the island of Tierra del Fuego is one of the main places for tourist visits. The visitors are also allowed to walk along the penguins to get the contented experience with the waddling penguins.
The common species of penguin found in Ushuaia are Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. There are few king penguins in Ushuaia which is very less in numbers.
If you are in a trip to Patagonia, which is present in the south of South America shared by Argentina and Chile, you can see a lot of penguins waddling, and there are trip plans which take you to the penguins’ habitat.
Even though there are many incredible animals in Argentina; penguins are the main attraction amongst tourists to visit Southern Argentina.
At the beginning of spring, you can find a colony of Magellanic penguins in Argentina. Every year they visit the shore of Argentinian Patagonia for nesting, mating, and for incubating eggs. They also raise their chicks and prepare for migration near the shore of Argentinian Patagonia.
Conclusion:
It is a good time to visit Argentinian Patagonia in November to March where you can find the chicks and adult penguins in the training of penguin skills for the young ones.
After March the large penguin population migrates to different shores for the winter. In Punta Tomba, you may experience a large colony of Magellanic penguins alongside the shore.
In Patagonia, there are also few Humboldt penguins live together with the large Magellanic penguin population. In Argentina Magellanic penguins are in large numbers whereas, Gentoo, Rockhopper, and Macaroni penguins are in the moderate population, King penguin and Humboldt penguins are in the meager count. The sad news is that Magellanic penguin chicks are mostly affected by global warming in recent days.
References:
http://www.seabirds.org/argentina-penguins.htm
https://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/blog/posts/penguins-of-south-america
https://argentina-travel-blog.sayhueque.com/penguins-in-ushuaia/
https://rove.me/to/argentina/penguins
