Pygoscelis papua
gentoo penguin

Pygoscelis papua, also known as Gentoo Penguins, are widely distributed on temperate and Antartic islands, breeding to a latitude of 65 degrees south on the Antartic Peninsula.

(Peterson, 1979)

They are found on bare hillsides and beaches close to their breeding colonies and thus their chicks can be fed frequently. (Peterson,1979)

Gentoo penguins have black heads and distinct triangular white patches above each eye usually extending over the head. They weigh between 5 and 6.2 kg. They stand from 51 to 71 cm tall and have a relatively long tail. Juveniles have smaller, less distinct white patches and sometimes a grey throat.

Males and females are similar in size and appearance.

Two subspecies have been recognized, Pygoscelis papua ellsworthi and Pygoscelis papua papua. P.p. ellsworthi penguins are smaller in size, with longer feathers, a shorter bill, smaller feet, and smaller wings.

(Gales and Green, 1993; Reilly et al., 2000; Penguin Taxon Advisory Group, 2001)

Throughout the year adults can be found on breeding islands indicating that they are relatively sedentary.

They exhibit a strong diurnal pattern in their diving behaviour. Deep diving begins near sunrise and finishes at sunset. Diving at night is less common and is often shallow.

Dive lengths of 7 minutes have been recorded.

Dive depths range from 40 to 210 m.

They swim at 1.04 metres per second and have a maximum potential foraging range of about 26 km for single day trips. They tend to forage within 14 km of the colony with a mean range of 5.4 km.

(Williams, 1990; Robinson, Susan, and Hindell, 1996)

Gentoo Penguins take both small plankton and large prey, especially squid and fish. Dominant prey taxa are fish of the genus Gymnoseopelus and Paranotothenia magellanica. Both pelagic and benthic prey are eaten but benthic species make up a larger proportion of the diet.

Females tend to eat more krill than males. Males tend to eat more fish than the females.

Ability to secure large prey as compared to other penguins is a consequence of their large size and elongated bills.

Major predators are Brown Skuas, which prey on eggs and chicks, and sheathbills and Dominian gulls which prey on eggs. Other predators include kelp gulls, feral cats, and leopard seals.

It has been estimated that total energy budget of a 6.2 kg breeding Gentoo Penguin is 1517 MJ which is equivalent to the consumption of 292 kg prey.

(Davis and Darby, 1990)

Gentoo penguin skin is used to make caps, slippers and purses. Their feathers are used for clothing and decorations.

Their fat layer is also used to extract oil.

(Peterson,1979)

Colonies have been affected by egg collecting and capture of adults for extraction of oil.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 nations. The treaty made it illegal to harm these penguins or their eggs. Every individual collected with a permit has to be approved by and reported to the Scientific Committee for Antartic Research (SCAR).

Protection of habitat began in early 1900's. In 1924 the French declared the Kerguelen Islands off the coast of Antartica a national park.

(Davis and Darby, 1990; Stonehouse, 1975)

Their average lifespan is from 15 to 20 years.(Peterson ,1979)