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King Penguin

Emperor Penguin Facts

Size 33-73 inches (85-95 cm) (body length)
Speed 4-6 mph (6.5-10 km/h) (in water)
Weight 22-35 pounds (10-16 kg)
Lifespan 15-20 years
Food Fish, squid, crustaceans, krill
Predators Leopard seals, orcas
Distribution Subantarctic Islands, Patagonia
Habitat Flat, rocky landscape
Order Penguins
Family Penguins
Scientific name Aptenodytes patagonicus
Characteristics Second largest penguin

Main Characteristics

The king penguin is the second largest penguin species after the emperor penguin. They are often confused with each other due to their similar appearances. In this profile, you'll learn how to easily tell the two apart.

King Penguins King Penguins - Photo: David/stock.adobe.com

Species

The king penguin, along with the emperor penguin, is classified as one of the "great penguins".


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Distribution and Habitat

Distribution

The habitat of king penguins is found on the subantarctic islands in the Southern Hemisphere. Notable locations include South Georgia, the Macquarie, Heard, Kerguelen, Crozet, and Prince Edward Islands. They're now rarely seen in their original habitat on the Falkland Islands.

Habitat

King penguins favor flat, green, or rocky beaches that are free from snow and ice. Whenever possible, they seek out sheltered spots to protect themselves from the wind.

Way of Life

King penguins are very social birds. They thrive in large colonies and venture out together to hunt for fish. Breeding in the frigid Antarctic presents significant challenges, but they are perfectly adapted to their cold environment thanks to their warm, four-layered feathers and a layer of fat.

King Penguin Characteristics King Penguin Characteristics - Photo: Anton Ivanov Photo/stock.adobe.com

Anatomy and Appearance

Size and Weight

King penguins measure 33-73 inches (85-95 cm) in length and typically weigh 22-35 pounds (10-16 kg). Males are generally larger and heavier than females.


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Bill

The king penguin has the longest bill of all penguin species, reaching lengths of up to 4.4 inches (14 cm).

Plumage

Collar

The king penguin appears to have a collar similar to that of a shirt, as the silver feathers around its neck extend halfway down its throat.

Color

King penguins have a silvery-gray plumage on their backs. Behind their eyes and on their throats, they sport vibrant orange feathers. Their bellies are white, and their legs are black. The lower part of their beaks is orange.

Layers

The plumage of king penguins consist of four layers of feathers. The inner three layers are quite fluffy, helping to retain heat effectively. The outer layer is oily and waterproof.

King Penguin vs. Emperor Penguin – What's the Difference? King Penguin vs. Emperor Penguin – What's the Difference? - Photo: Fredy Thürig/stock.adobe.com (left), Jan Martin Will/Shutterstock (right)

King Penguin vs. Emperor Penguin – What's the Difference?

The king penguin and the emperor penguin look quite similar at first glance. However, there are a few simple tricks to tell the two species apart. When it comes to chicks, it’s especially easy: king penguin chicks have brown down feathers, while emperor penguin chicks are gray. For adult penguins, there’s a distinctive feature as well: The king penguin has shiny silver-gray feathers on its back that stretch all the way to the middle of its throat. This creates a clear separation from the bright orange feathers that are found behind its eyes and on its throat. In contrast, the emperor penguin lacks this clear distinction.

King Penguin Chick (left) and Emperor Penugin Chick (right) King Penguin Chick (left) and Emperor Penugin Chick (right) - Photo: Cheryl Ramalho (links), Enroique (rechts)/stock.adobe.com

Diet

Emperor penguins are carnivorous animals. They primarily feed on lanternfish, squid, small crustaceans, and krill. They have a high energy expenditure, which means they require a substantial amount of food. Adult penguins can consume up to 450 fish in a single day. To gather enough nourishment, they dive as deep as 100 times.

Behavior

Social Behavior

Emperor penguins are highly social creatures. They gather in colonies that can consist of up to 200,000 birds.

Communication

When king penguins return to land after foraging for food, they look for their partner. To find them among the many other penguins, they call out. Each penguin has a unique call, which makes it easy for them to recognize one another.

King Penguins on the Beach in South Georgia King Penguins on the Beach in South Georgia - Photo: Jo/stock.adobe.com

Senses and Abilities

Diving

King penguins typically dive to depths ranging from 330-1,000 feet (100-300 meters) and can stay underwater for about five minutes. Researchers recorded the deepest dive ever of a king penguin in 2005 near the Falkland Islands, reaching a remarkable 1,125 feet (343 meters). The longest recorded dive duration is 552 seconds, which is just over 9 minutes.

Molting

Emperor penguins molt between August and January. During this period, they shed their old, damaged feathers and grow new, functional ones. This time can be quite challenging for the birds, as they lack waterproof plumage. Consequently, they are unable to swim and hunt, which can lead to a loss of up to 44% of their body weight.

Speed

Emperor penguins can reach speeds of 4-6 mph (6.5-10 km/h), which is much slower compared to the Gentoo penguin that can swim at speeds of up to 22 mph (36 km/h). However, they are excellent and agile swimmers. On land, they move by walking and do so quite slowly.

King Penguins Live in Large Colonies King Penguins Live in Large Colonies - Photo: Yongyut Kumsri/Shutterstock

Life Expectancy

King penguins can live 15-20 years in the wild.

Enemies and Threats

Natural Enemies

In the water, leopard seals and orcas are among their main predators. However, there are also dangers on land. If they leave their chicks unattended, seabirds like skuas and giant petrels will try to snatch both the eggs and the chicks.

Human Impact

By the year 2100, climate change is expected to lead to the disappearance of 70% of king penguins. They rely on the Antarctic Convergence, a 24 miles (40 km) wide belt where cold and warm ocean waters meet, for 80% of their food, which is abundant in fish. However, due to climate change, this zone is moving further away from their breeding grounds. As a result, they now have to travel distances of 310-430 miles (500-700 km) instead of the previous 180-310 miles (300-500 km), and many are unable to survive the challenges of this journey.

Importance for the Ecosystem

King penguins are both hunters and prey at the same time. This makes them an important part of the food chain. Additionally, these animals help enrich the soil with nutrients through their droppings.

King Penguin Courtship Behavior King Penguin Courtship Behavior - Photo: David Osborn/Shutterstock

Reproduction

Longest Incubation Period

King penguins have the longest incubation period of all penguin species, lasting around 64 days.

Fewest Chicks

King penguins and emperor penguins only lay one egg each year, while other penguin types usually lay two.

Courtship Display

To attract a female, male penguins press their bills down on their chests and then lift them high into the air. If the female raises her head too, it means she’s ready to mate.

No Nest

King penguins, like emperor penguins, don’t build nests. Instead, they keep their eggs warm in a special fold of skin located over their feet.

From Egg to Chick

The eggs are incubated for about 64 days before the chicks hatch. The chicks are almost naked and stay in the warm skin fold for the first 30-40 days.

Raising the Chicks

The parents take turns sitting on the eggs and raising the chicks. When one parent is incubating an egg, they switch off every 6-18 days. After the chick hatches, they alternate caring for it every 3-7 days until it grows warm feathers.

Brown Feathers

The chicks of king penguins are brown. They don’t get their usual black and white feathers until they are about 10-13 months old.

Mashed Fish for the Chicks

While one parent stays with the colony, the other goes hunting and brings back fish for the baby. They regurgitate it from their stomach.

Fat Reserves

Sometimes, the parents don’t catch enough food, so the chicks might not get enough to eat. Luckily, the chicks are born with enough fat reserves that they can lose up to 70% of their weight and still survive.

King Penguins Are Loyal

During the breeding season, these animals are loyal to each other and take good care of their young. However, the next year, they might choose new partners to mate with.

King Penguin Chicks With Two Adults King Penguin Chicks With Two Adults - Photo: Jeremy Richards/Shutterstock

Fun Facts

Knighted Penguin

In 2008, a king penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo received a special honor: he was knighted by King Harald V of Norway. His name is Sir Nils Olav.

Where Does the Name Come From?

For a long time, people thought king penguins were the largest penguins. That’s why they were called "king." But then researchers found some that were even a foot taller, and they named those emperor penguins.

The King Penguin Is Related To:

  • Emperor Penguin

Animals in the Same Biome:


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