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Photograph of two Gentoo Penguins, both penguins are facing to the side of the camera.

Gentoo Penguins

Pygoscelis papua
The Gentoo Penguin is the third largest penguin and also has the largest breeding range of any penguin species. Gentoos are a member of the brush-tailed group of penguins.
Common Name: Gentoo Penguin
Scientific name: Pygoscelis papua
Population: 400,000 breeding pairs
Weight: 5 kg – 8 kg,  51 cm – 90 cm
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Conservation status: Least Concern
Population Trend: Stable
Geographic Breeding Range: Antarctic Peninsula; Australia (Macquarie Is.); Falkland Islands; French Southern Territories (Kerguelen, Crozet Is.); Heard Island and McDonald Islands; South Africa (Marion-Prince Edward Is.); South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Chile
Prey/diet: Crustaceans, fish and cephalopods.
Distinguishing physical characteristics: Face and head are black with a white patch above each eye that meets at the top of the head. Bill is yellow to orange, with a thin strip of black along the top of the upper mandible, legs and feet are similarly yellow to orange. Eyes are brown with a white eye ring. Tail feathers longer than any other penguin species.

Fun Fact:

Gentoo Penguins are not believed to migrate and remain nearby their colony all year long.

Current Conservation Status

Population trends:

Stable arrow

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Least Concern conservation status

Range Map:

Gentoo Penguin range and distribution map

Get more penguin information at the links below

Read through related blogs from our penguin experts for more information on Gentoo Penguins:
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