Which penguin species is the only one that regularly reaches the Northern Hemisphere?

The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin species that regularly reaches the Northern Hemisphere.

It lives around the Galápagos Islands, which straddle the equator off Ecuador. Some colonies occur just north of the equator, making this species the penguin with the most northerly natural range.

Cold, nutrient-rich water carried by the Cromwell Current helps make the tropical Galápagos environment suitable for penguins. The birds remain relatively small, which helps them cope with warmer conditions than those faced by Antarctic species.

The Galápagos penguin is endangered and has a restricted population concentrated around western islands such as Fernandina and Isabela. El Niño events can sharply reduce food availability by warming surrounding waters and disrupting the marine food chain.