If you are an animal lover, seeing penguins in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience!
If you didn\'t know, penguins have black and white feathers to camouflage themselves in their natural environment. Their colors allow them to survive and protect themselves from predators. Their backs are black to blend in with the darkness ►
If you are an animal lover, seeing penguins in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience!
If you didn\'t know, penguins have black and white feathers to camouflage themselves in their natural environment. Their colors allow them to survive and protect themselves from predators. Their backs are black to blend in with the darkness of the seawater when they are swimming, and their bellies are white to blend in with the sky\'s light on the surface.
Penguins are also social animals, living in colonies, sometimes more than 10,000, only on rocky coasts.
The Alca torda, or the penguin, is a species found only in the northern hemisphere, especially at the North Pole, in the Arctic. Nevertheless, this animal migrates in winter to warmer areas, so there are several points more accessible to observe them.
They can be seen from May to August on the islands of the North Atlantic, such as the Faroe Islands and the Magdalen Islands in Canada, as well as the rocky coasts of Scotland, Ireland, and northern Spain.
You can differentiate between male and female penguins if you can see some. It will be difficult as both sexes have similar size, shape, and color characteristics. However, some clues can help make the distinction, such as courtship behaviors or the size of the birds. Indeed, the male is slightly larger, but this can be difficult to determine without direct comparison. The best way to make the distinction is often with the help of birding experts.
In Iceland, meet them on the islands of Grimsey, accessible by ferry or plane from Akureyri, and Papey, a small island on the coast accessible by boat from Djupivogur. The best times to observe them are usually from May to August, when the colony fully reproduces.
More surprisingly, finding it as far as the western Mediterranean would be plausible! On the Atlantic coast of Morocco, it is possible to meet it on the islands of Dakhla, Dragonera, and Amanar. Embark on one of the boats the many local companies offer to observe the areas where penguins are most active for a more immersive experience.
Or in Brittany, the only region in France where it nests, it migrates to the Sept-Îles archipelago, Cap Fréhel, Cézembre Island, and the Douarnenez Bay, sheltered from gusts of wind and storms. But, it also shows itself in the port of Le Conquet. From February to mid-July, about 150 couples gather for breeding each year.
Skomer Island is a small island off the west coast of Wales with a large population of these birds. Visitors can take a boat trip to the island to spend the day or even stay overnight in rustic accommodations. Local authorities recommend visiting from May to July.
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