Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: King penguin
Latin Name: Aptenodytes patagonica

Class: Birds
Order:    Sphenisciformes

Description
The second-largest species of penguins, king penguins can reach more than three feet in height and weigh up to 33 pounds. Like most penguins, the king penguin has a white belly and black back; the species is distinguished by bright orange patches on the lower neck, around the ears and on the lower part of the beak.

Range
Temperate islands in the south Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. King penguins do not live on Antarctica.

Status
Common

Habitat
Island beaches and valleys

Niche
Like all penguins, the king penguin is flightless; the bird’s reduced wings are used to quickly paddle through the water. The species primarily feeds on fish and squid. Hunting trips can cover hundreds of miles, and king penguins are known to dive as deep as 700 feet to find prey.

Life History
King penguins breed in colonies that can range from dozens to thousands of birds. Breeding pairs are monogamous, and both participate in the rearing of young. Males and females take turns incubating the single egg the female lays; one will incubate the egg for weeks at a time while the other gathers food at sea. Emperor penguin chicks develop slowly and rely on their parents’ care for more than a year before becoming independent.

2

Special Adaptations

  • The king penguin is able to withstand swimming in freezing waters due to its tightly packed feathers, which provide a waterproof coat. Thick blubber deposits provide insulation as well, and blood vessels in the flippers and legs have evolved intricate structures to preserve heat.
  • The king penguin’s black-and-white plumage helps camouflage it in the water from predators, such as seals and killer whales. When seen from above, the bird’s black back blends into the dark water below, while the bird’s underside blends into the sunshine above when seen from below.
  • The king penguin is able to drink saltwater, an adaptation that helps it survive at sea. Special glands in the bird’s eyes help it excrete excess salt through the nose.