Humboldt Penguins at the Columbus Zoo

The Humboldt penguin is a bird of the spheniscus genus, found in South America. Its name is derived from the German explorer Alexander Von Humboldt, who explored the area in which the penguins are found in the 18th and 19th century.

On the day we visited the zoo these little guys were all out sunning themselves instead of in the water. The birds are known to "fly" underwater by using their wings much like flippers, steering themselves with their feet and tail. When doing this, these penguins can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour. Humboldts also are waterproof, with their stiff feathers acting as a protective barrier against the water. Also, when feeding, these birds swallow their food whole, without chewing.

This was the only little guy with wet feathers.

 'Maybe nobody will notice if I close my eyes just for a minute.'

'Uh-oh, she caught me!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday.