Gentoo Penguin

Scientific classification
Kingdom: animal
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Bird
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family:Spheniscidae
Genus:Pygoscelis
Species:P. papua
Scientific name: Pygoscelis papua

The habitat of Gentoos breed on many sub-Antarctic islands. The main colonies are on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Kerguelen Islands; smaller populations are found on other islands. The total breeding population is estimated to 300,000 pairs.
Gentoos live mainly on crustaceans such as krill, with fish making up only about 15% of the diet. However, they are opportunistic feeders, and around the Falklands ( in the Malvinas islands) are known to take roughly equal proportions of fish, crustaceans and squid.

It is recognized by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts. Adult Gentoos measure 51 to 90 cm

The males
just before moulting have a maximum weight of about 8.5 kg.
the males just before mating have a minimum weight of about 4.9 kg.

The females
have a maximum weight is 8.2 kg just before moulting, but their weight drops to as little as 4.5 kg when guarding the chicks in the nest.

These penguins are the fastest underwater swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 36 km/h. The Gentoo is built for very cold weather environments, unlike its northern cousin the Magellanic Penguin, which is leaner and more mobile in terrestrial movement.

Status: Near Threatened

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Last Easter holidays I had a lot of homework, so I stayed home.
Normally we go away on holidays with my family, we have been to Amsterdam, Madrid, The Basc Country, but this year I was too busy and we didn't go away.

On Friday we went to Vic, to see some Friends who live there.
They showed us some of the towns in the area. We left Sant Pere, my village, at 8 am and when we arrived in Vic, we met to go to St. Miquel del Fai, a beautiful place built in the rocks, but it's also known for its wonderful waterfall.
When the visit was finished we looked for a restaurant in the town of Taradell.
after lunch we visited other towns, and the dam in Sau, which is completely full.
Next we walked arround the center of Vic, but the shops were closed.
Finally our friends took us to their hometown where we had dinner.
It was a tiring but enjoyable day.

On Saturday I went out with my friends. We went shopping and we had dinner together and to end the night we went to the disco.

The rest of the days I stayed home to do my homework and study for the next term.