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King Penguin Facts and Information

King Penguins

Aptenodytes patagonicus
The King Penguin is the second largest penguin, after the Emperor.
Common Name: King Penguin
Scientific name: Aptenodytes patagonicus
Population: 1.6 million breeding pairs
Height and weight: 90 cm, 15-16 kg
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Conservation status: Least Concern
Population Trend: Increasing
Geographic Breeding Range: Argentina; Chile; Crozet Islands; Falkland Islands; Kerguelen Islands; Heard Island and McDonald Islands; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Prey/diet: Lanternfish (myctophids), ice fish, cephalopods
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.

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.

Current Conservation Status

Population trends:

Increasing arrow

King Penguin Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Least Concern conservation status

Range Map:

King 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 King Penguins:

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