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King Penguins

Source: © Penguins International

Scientific Name: Aptenodytes patagonicus

The King Penguin is the second largest penguin, after the Emperor.

Estimated Population:

1.6 million breeding pairs

Weight and height:

15 kg – 16 kg, 90 cm

Lifespan:

13-15 years

Prey/Diet:

Lanternfish (myctophids), ice fish, cephalopods

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Source: Shannon Derthick

Population trends:

Increasing arrow

Distinguishing physical characteristics:

Bright orange auricular patches that extend along the side of the neck, down to dark orange at the throat that fades to yellow on the upper breast. Head and face are black. Back is silvery gray. Upper mandible of the bill is black, lower mandible is bright orange. Legs and feet are black, eyes are brown.

Source: Pooja's Laboratory

Geographic Breeding Range:

Argentina; Chile; Crozet Islands; Falkland Islands; Kerguelen Islands; Heard Island and McDonald Islands; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Fun Fact:

King Penguins make no nest, and instead lay a single egg which they hold on their feet for the entire incubation period of about 55 days.

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