Wild Windows · King Penguin
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
The second-largest penguin species, after the emperor penguin. King penguins breed on subantarctic islands in vast colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands.
Natural History
Habitat
Subantarctic islands including South Georgia, the Crozets, Kerguelen, the Falklands, and Macquarie Island.
Diet
Lanternfish and small squid, caught on dives that can exceed 300 meters and 9 minutes.
Lifespan
20 to 30 years.
Behavior
Breeds in colonies of staggering size. Lays a single egg per pair, balanced on the parents' feet under a brood pouch — there is no nest. Chicks form crèches when both parents need to forage.
Classroom Facts
- A king penguin chick takes more than a year to fledge — the longest of any penguin.
- Adult king penguins can identify their chick by call alone in a colony of half a million birds.
- They can swim at speeds of nearly 14 km per hour.
Live Cameras
1 king penguin camera in the catalog.
Each listing shows its current source, permission, and playback-verification state.
