The king penguin (or Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus) is a large species of marine bird that lives in the Southern Ocean and breeds on sub-Antarctic islands including the Falklands and South Georgia. King penguins have dark grey feathers on their backs and flippers, white feathers on their chests and stomachs, and yellow colouration on their throats, while their heads are black, with bright orange cheek patches, as well as an orange streak along their beaks. Standing at between 70 and 100cm tall, king penguins weigh an average of 9 to 14kg, and are the second largest species of penguin after the emperor penguin.
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Aptenodytes patagonicus patagonicus
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king-penguin
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Animal Facts
King penguins are monogamous, mating with only one partner each breeding season and caring for the chick together. However, only 30% of king penguins mate for life.
The deepest recorded dive of a king penguin is 343m and the longest recorded time underwater is 9 minutes and 12 seconds.
There is a king penguin at Edinburgh zoo that is called Sir Nils Olav III and is the colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King’s Guard.
King penguins who do not breed successfully or who lose their eggs or chicks will attempt to steal chicks from other pairs.
The renal system of the king penguin is adapted so that they can drink and filter salt from seawater.
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