King Penguin

Aptenodytes patagonicusMiller, JF, 1778

Least ConcernNative

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The king penguin is the second largest species of penguin, smaller than but somewhat similar in appearance to the emperor penguin.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

In the water, look for 'porpoising' behavior where the bird repeatedly leaps clear of the surface to breathe while swimming at high speed.
On land, observe the characteristic movement pattern alternating between an upright wobbling walk and 'tobogganing' on the belly.

plumage

Look for the vivid, solid orange teardrop-shaped patches on the sides of the head that connect to a matching orange-yellow wash on the upper chest.
The back and upper wing surfaces are a distinctive grizzled, silvery-grey rather than solid black.

size_and_shape

Note the long, slender bill featuring a conspicuous, colorful orange or pinkish plate along the side of the lower mandible.

voice

Listen for a loud, trumpet-like braying call, often delivered while the bird stands tall with its bill pointed directly at the sky.

02 · Where

Breeding range: Subantarctic is. beaches: Tierra del Fuego, Falkland Is., South Georgia, South Sandwich Is. (south-west South Atlantic), Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen and Heard is. (south-west and south-east South Indian), Macquarie I. (far south-east of Australia, south-west South Pacific)
Non-breeding range: Mostly around Antarctic Convergence; to subantarctic New Zealand is., south tip of South America and Antarctic Pen.

03 · When