The penguin genus Spheniscus includes the African, Humboldt, Magellanic, and Galápagos penguins.
Spheniscus is a genus of banded penguins found mainly in the Southern Hemisphere’s temperate and tropical regions. Its members share a characteristic dark band across the chest and a pattern of facial markings, although the details vary by species. The genus name comes from an Ancient Greek word associated with a wedge or small object, referring to the birds’ body shape.
The four living species occupy different ranges. African penguins live along the coasts of southern Africa, Humboldt penguins occur mainly along the Pacific coasts of Peru and Chile, Magellanic penguins breed in southern South America, and Galápagos penguins live around the Galápagos Islands. Spheniscus is distinct from Aptenodytes, the genus containing emperor and king penguins, and Pygoscelis, which includes Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins.