Gentoo Penguin

or Johnny Penguin

Scientific Name: Pygoscelis papua
Size
Gentoo penguins are about 30 inches (75cm) tall. They weigh about 9 to 13 pounds (4 to 5�8kg).

A Gentoo penguin

Where are they found?
Gentoo penguins found all round Antarctica and sub-Antarctic zones. They breed on Graham Land, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Shetlands, Staten Island, South Orkneys, Maquarie, Prince Edward, Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen and Heard Islands.
What do they eat?
Gentoo penguins feed on shrimps and squids.
Main predators
Their predators on land are Skuas and in the sea are Leopard seals.
Highlights
Gentoo penguins are the only penguins with conspicuous white marks on the top of the head. They have white bands extending from eye to eye across a slaty black head. They have a bluish-black back. The bill is yellowish-orange. The feet are orange-yellow with black claws.

Rookeries are on mounds amongst the tussock grass or on low hill-tops. Two eggs (first favourite of the sealers) are laid in September/October. A nest of grass, leaves, twigs or pebbles (even pieces of tin or shotgun-cartridge cases) is made. Both parents then incubate the egg for about 33 days.

Gentoos incubating eggs

The young are feed by regurgitation.

The adults normally walk in a delibrate manner, following well-trodden paths between sea and nest-site, but "toboggan" if pressed. They prefer to enter the sea from a shelving beach rather than jump from a ledge. They are fast swimmers.


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