This charming African penguin jumps over a boulder in an awkwardly lovely fashion. It looks quite peculiar as it leaps over the gap. The penguin has its wings spread, like gliding in the air. African penguins cannot fly, as we all know, but in this photograph, it looks nearly like flying. Behind this lovely bird are soft white clouds in the African sky.
It is genuinely entertaining to watch these penguins waddle or swim back to the beach.
No, African penguins cannot fly, or let’s say, only underwater. African penguins have a ‘catastrophic molt’ that happens once a year. During this period, they will stay on land and will lose and replace all their feathers. It lasts between 2 – 3 weeks.
Besides the African penguin species, there are many others all over the world. The French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville named the Adélie penguins after his wife, Adélie Land. He discovered these penguins in 1840. Then there are the Macaroni penguins. That name comes from the fact that they look like the flamboyantly dressed group of 18th-century aristocrats, called the ‘Macaronis.’
The Gentoo penguin does not have a clear history of how it got its name. However, their Latin name Pygoscelis, which means ‘brush-tailed,’ is accurate. The Gentoo penguins have the most prominent tail of all penguins species that brush side to side as they waddle.
The African penguin, Spheniscus demersus, is endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Please, discover more of our Bird photographs for photos like this ‘African penguin which jumps over a boulder.’ Of this funny penguin image, you can purchase wall art prints or an image license as a stock photo.
This photograph is available to be purchased as a print. We offer our prints as unmounted fine art prints and framed prints that are ready-to-hang on your wall out of the box. Another option is that it can be licensed for personal or commercial use. Just click the add_shopping_cart icon left-hand side above the photo to select your choice.
For more information about the various types of prints we offer to purchase, please visit our Purchasing a print FAQ page.
Our Photo Licensing FAQ page explains the license types and helps you to choose the right license for your needs.
Before making a purchase, please read our Terms & Conditions page.
James Suter –
This is brilliant, a flying penguin! I love this photo!
Anette Mossbacher –
Yes, flying very short distance. Underwater it looks like they can fly. Thank you 😊
Stefan –
Super, it seems the bird can fly! 😂 Fantasic photo of this jumping penguin Anette.
Anette Mossbacher –
😀 Yes, when they are under the water it looks that the penguins fly.Thanks so much.