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] | |
 | |
| Location | Algarrobo, Valparaiso Region, Chile |
| Nearest city | Algarrobo |
| Coordinates | 33°21′36″S 71°41′16″W / 33.36000°S 71.68778°W |
| Area | 6.17 ha (15.2 acres) |
| Designation | Nature sanctuary |
| Designated | 1978 |
| Administrator | Algarrobo 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]