The King penguin of the Spheniscidae family is the second largest penguin species after the Emperor penguin. Known for being expert hunters and great swimmers these penguins share their time between land and sea. They will mate and raise their young on land but hunt for their next meal in the sea. This species is also known for forming huge colonies of up to 100,000 breeding pairs.
This species of penguin is most recognisable for the yellowy-orange feathers on its upper chest and the patches of colour on the sides of its head in the shape of a teardrop. Females are slightly smaller than males, but apart from the small size difference males and females are almost indistinguishable. Baby penguins have dark brown (and very fluffy) plumage.
A grown King penguin will stand around 31-35 inches tall and weigh between 30-45 lbs. This makes the King penguin a large bird, especially in relation to the other penguin species.
King penguins inhabit most of the subantarctic islands. The largest colonies can be found on South Georgia island, Prince Edward island, Kerguelen Island and Crozet island.
The scientific name for the King penguin is Aptenodytes patagonicus.
When on land these birds will choose valleys and shores that don’t have any snow or ice and are located near the sea. Many people think of icy landscapes when they think of penguins, but as King penguins live slightly north of the Antarctic they are able to pick slightly more temperate environments.
The physical features of this penguin species has allowed it to not just survive, but thrive! For example, they have large flippers which allows them to reach speeds of up to 6 mph when hunting. They are also excellent divers and can reach depths of 1,100 feet. At this depth in the ocean it can be hard to see and so King penguins have excellent night vision.
The king penguin will eat as much fish as it can! In fact, fish makes up around 80% of this bird’s diet and they have been known to eat as many as 2,000 fish per bird in a single day. However, when fish aren’t available they have been known to also eat crustaceans and squid. Parents will regurgitate food to feed their young.
The eggs are around 10cm x 7cm and can weigh between 200-300 grams. Eggs are incubated for approximately 55 days with both males and females sharing this incubation period in shifts that can last 6-18 days.
A baby penguin is called a chick.
The lifespan of the King penguin in the wild can reach up to 26 years.
Currently there are around 2.23 million breeding pairs which means that the population of the King penguin is not currently at threat. In fact, the population is increasing! Because of this, they are classified as of Least Concern by the IUCN. That isn’t to say that there aren’t any threats to this species of penguin as some colonies have suffered greatly over recent decades. The previous largest colony, found on Ile Aux Cochons (a French island) has decreased by almost 90% in the last 30 years as a result of habitat loss and avian disease.
The sea is home to the natural predators of the King penguin, including fur seals, leopard seals, South American sea lions and orca. Birds including skuas and giant petrels have also been known to target chicks and eggs on land.
Want to get up close and personal with the Paradise Wildlife Park penguins? Book a penguin feeding experience today and enjoy our penguins for yourself! Or adopt an African penguin today to support the conservation of our animals.
