Penguins are found in Brazil. While not native residents, Magellanic penguins undertake extensive migrations that seasonally bring them to the Brazilian coastline. This phenomenon is a natural part of their life cycle, driven by factors like food availability and ocean currents.
Penguins in Brazilian Waters
The species most commonly observed along Brazil’s coast is the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus). These birds are distinguished by two black stripes across their chests and grow to about 61–76 cm tall, weighing between 2.7 and 6.5 kg. While they breed in colonies in Patagonia, including Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands, they are regular visitors to Brazil.
Penguins are sighted along the southern and southeastern states of Brazil, from the border with Uruguay as far north as Espírito Santo and occasionally Bahia. Their appearance in these warmer waters occurs between March and September, with peak sightings from July to August. They do not establish breeding sites in Brazil; they are transient visitors seeking food during the non-breeding season.
The Migratory Path
Magellanic penguins undertake long annual migrations from their breeding grounds in southern South America. After their breeding season concludes in February and March, they migrate north for the austral winter, traveling thousands of kilometers to find food. This journey can take them up to 7,000 kilometers.
Oceanic currents, such as the Falkland (Malvinas) Current, play a role in their northward movement, bringing them into Brazilian waters. They follow food sources like anchovies and squid, which are more abundant in these northern waters during the colder months in the south. Factors like storms, strong currents, or a scarcity of prey can push them further north than their typical migratory range, leading to sightings even in northeastern Brazil. Young and inexperienced penguins are susceptible to being carried off course or becoming exhausted during these travels.
Conservation and Care
Penguins arriving on Brazilian beaches are in a weakened state due to exhaustion, dehydration, or hypothermia from their journey. They also face threats from human activities, including oil spills, entanglement in fishing nets, and marine pollution like plastic debris. Scientists have noted increased mortality events, linked to food scarcity or environmental changes.
Brazilian environmental organizations and governmental bodies work to rescue and rehabilitate these distressed birds. Institutions like the Argonauta Institute and centers under the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS) provide veterinary care, cleaning oiled birds, and treating injuries. The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) has established the Brazilian Network for Penguin Stranding and Data (REPIN) to coordinate these efforts, including rescue, stabilization, rehabilitation, and eventual release. Rehabilitated penguins are microchipped before release to allow for future monitoring.