Islote Pájaros Niños

Islote Pájaros Niños is an inshore island near Algarrobo, Chile, some 6.17 hectares in size.[2] It is home to a colony of 250-500 Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) and Magellanic penguins which can be viewed from a nearby hilltop using binoculars. Access to the island is restricted to members of the adjacent yacht club.[3] The breakwater which connects the island to the mainland was constructed in 1977 and 1978. The island was declared a protected Nature Sanctuary in 1978.[2] At that time, the island was estimated to support 800 penguins.[4]

Islote Pájaros Niños Nature Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1]
LocationAlgarrobo, Valparaiso Region, Chile
Nearest cityAlgarrobo
Coordinates33°21′36″S 71°41′16″W
Area6.17 ha (15.2 acres)
DesignationNature sanctuary
Designated1978
AdministratorAlgarrobo Municipality

Between 2016 and 2020, the breeding population of Humboldt penguins was estimated at 25-473 individuals, resident Peruvian pelicans (Pelecanus thagus) at 30–1,000 individuals, and non-breeding Guanay cormorants (Leucocarbo bougainvilliorum) at 10-500 individuals.[5]

The reserve is administered by Algarrobo municipality.[1]

References
  1. UNEP-WCMC (2023). Protected Area Profile for Islote Pájaros Niños from the World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  2. "Isla Pájaros Niños". bdrnap.mma.gob.cl. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  3. Fodors.com. "Islote Pájaros Niños Review - The Central Coast Chile - Sights". Fodor’s Travel. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  4. "Penguin deaths more common, Chile (1978)". The Manhattan Mercury. 1978-08-08. p. 16. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  5. BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Isla Pájaro Niño de Algarrobo. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
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