They are then looked after by the adults for a short period. Being scavengers, immature Lava Gulls are more naturally self-sufficient than some species with more specialized feeding habits. While the total population is thought to be only around 400 pairs, they are not in immediate danger but are obviously vulnerable especially in view of their ground nesting. The Galapagos Penguin, at just over 50 cm in length, but only some 35 cm tall when standing upright, is one of the world's smallest penguins. It is the only penguin to breed entirely within the tropics and the only one to be found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Adults have black wings and upperparts and white underparts.
There is an irregular dark band along the flanks and across the upper breast. The head is black with a white eyestrip extending round to the throat. The bill is dark. The immature bird is generally grey rather than black and does not have the distinctive head and body markings. The Galapagos penguin is found mainly in then western islands where the water is cooler but has appeared recently to be widening its range and is regularly seen around the eastern end of Santiago, Floreana and western Santa Cruz.