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