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Meet the Magellanic Penguin

Check out 5 fascinating facts.

Magellanic penguins are noisy and charismatic, known to bray like donkeys. They're currently in the midst of their breeding season, when they gather along the southern coast of South America in large colonies, which can number in the hundreds of thousands. What else makes them interesting?

1. Move Over Magellan

Magellanic penguins have been known to migrate over 4,000 miles on the open ocean.

2. Thank You Magellan

They are named for the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who spotted the birds in the early 1500s.

3. Romeo, Oh Romeo

They are monogamous, returning to the same partner annually. One pair is known to have stayed together for 16 years.

4. Both Parents Do Their Part

Both male and female penguins care for their young, taking turns incubating the eggs and feeding their chicks.

5. They can move

Magellanic penguins swim at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour when pursuing prey and they can dive more than 250 feet underwater.