Gentoo penguin

Pygoscelis papua

The gentoo penguin is an active penguin breeding on islands around the Southern Ocean. It dives by day and lives noisily in colonies.

Key facts

Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is a carnivore animal classified as Bird · Sphenisciformes · Spheniscidae.
Primary habitats are coast · open ocean · polar, with a range across Southern Ocean.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is colony, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The gentoo penguin is an active penguin breeding on islands around the Southern Ocean.
It uses subantarctic islands and coasts around the Antarctic Peninsula.
Typical lifespan: 8-25 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It uses subantarctic islands and coasts around the Antarctic Peninsula. Ice-free nesting ground and nearby cold feeding waters are important.

Wingspan is about 75-90 cm and weight about 4.5-8.5 kg. A white eyebrow patch, orange bill and feet, and streamlined body are characteristic.

Active by day, it commutes from colonies to the sea and moves by strong swimming. On land, birds carry pebbles and call around nest sites.

It is carnivorous, catching fish, krill, and squid. Underwater, the wings act as flippers for fast pursuit.

Pairs breed on pebble nests and share guarding of eggs and chicks. Older chicks gather while waiting for returning parents to feed them.

Its status is listed as Least Concern. Local colonies can respond strongly to changes in sea ice and prey availability.