COLOUR ABERRATIONS IN AFRICAN PENGUINS SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS

Colour aberrations among wild birds are of long-time interest because they are uncommon, particularly in seabirds, although recent publications have revealed varying forms of aberrations in cormorants and penguins. In African Penguins Spheniscus demersus, there have been previous sightings of abnormal plumages, particularly in Algoa Bay, South Africa. This paper reveals new cases of plumage aberrations in African Penguins: leucism, "brown," and phaeomelanism, all within Algoa Bay. While all aberrations seemed of natural origin, one in the shape of a number eight may have resulted from human actions.