Penguin Species Profile
Gentoo Penguin
Pygoscelis papua
A penguin known for its strange name
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Population Trend
Increasing
Species Facts
Essential profile data
Scientific name
Pygoscelis papua
Name origin
Not clearly specified.
Estimated population
387,000-432,000 breeding pairs
Colony size
100-12,000 breeding pairs
Average lifespan
15-20 years
Weight range
4.5-8.5kg
Maximum height
90cm
Diet
Diversity of fish, squid and krill
Predators
Orcas, Leopard Seals, southern giant petrels, skuas, and snowy sheathbills.
Adaptations
Not relying on ice to breed and live on, changing diet based on food availability.
Geographic breeding range
Macquarie Island, Falkland Islands, French Southern Territories, Heard Island and McDonald Islands; South Africa Prince Edward Islands, South Georgia Island and the South Sandwich Islands.
Appearance
Chick and adult comparison
Chick Appearance
Black plumage on the top of the head, backside of the body and backside of flippers, with white plumage on the chin, belly, inside of flippers and above the eyes. Beak is orange, feet are pale orange and eyes are brown.
Adult Appearance
Black plumage on backside of the body, head, backside of flippers with white plumage on belly, white to pale pink inside of flippers and patches of white plumage above the eyes. The beak is dark orange and the feet are light orange. Eyes are brown.
Fun Fact
Gentoo penguins are the world’s fastest penguin species at sea! They can swim at speeds up to 36km/h!