- Aptenodytes patagonicus
Identification
This is the second largest of the penguins at 90-96cm.
A large grey, black and white penguin with black-bordered bright orange ear-patch and orange upper breast. Bill long and slender, black with orange patch on lower mandible.
Similar Species
Smaller than more southerly Emperor Penguin with different head pattern and silvery upper back.
Distribution
Subantarctic seas, breeding on the islands of Macquarie, Marion, Prince Edward, Heard, Kerguelen and Crozet, South Sandwich, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, also on Staten and Horn Islands off Cape Horn.
Vagrants recorded on Gough Island, South Africa and southern Australia.
Immatures wander more widely than adults.
Taxonomy
This is a polytypic species consisting of 2 subspecies[1].
- A. p. patagonicus:
- Staten Island, South Georgia Island and Falkland Islands
- A. p. halli:
- Macquarie, Kerguelen, Crozet and Marion islands
Habitat
Breeds on remote rocky islands, otherwise at sea.
Behaviour
Often associates with Gentoo Penguin.
Breeding
Breeding cycle takes 12-13 months so breeds twice every three years. The single egg is incubated resting on the feet and beneath a fold of the lower abdomen. Incubation takes about 8 weeks and chick is fed for 11-12 months.
Present at breeding sites September to April but can be seen in the area throughout the year.
Diet
Small fish and squid.
Vocalisation
Makes occasional braying, squawking or trumpeting sounds.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) King Penguin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 10 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/King_Penguin
External Links
