<strong>King penguins --</strong> King penguins are the second largest penguin species in the world (behind emperors). Although they spend much of their time at sea, where they subsist on a diet of lanternfish, they head to land to incubate their eggs and rear chicks. Over the past century king penguin numbers have grown substantially on South Georgia.
King penguins -- King penguins are the second largest penguin species in the world (behind emperors). Although they spend much of their time at sea, where they subsist on a diet of lanternfish, they head to land to incubate their eggs and rear chicks. Over the past century king penguin numbers have grown substantially on South Georgia.
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<strong>Macaroni penguins -- </strong>These crested penguins take their name from <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fanimal%2Fmacaroni-penguin" target="_blank" target="_blank">an 18th century European fashion trend</a>. Like kings they spend a lot of time in the open water, but eat krill, a small crustacean. Adults weigh approximately 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) and can be as tall as 28 inches (71 centimeters). South Georgia's population has declined, although there has been a recent increase, says Norman Ratcliffe of the British Antarctic Survey.
Macaroni penguins -- These crested penguins take their name from an 18th century European fashion trend. Like kings they spend a lot of time in the open water, but eat krill, a small crustacean. Adults weigh approximately 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) and can be as tall as 28 inches (71 centimeters). South Georgia's population has declined, although there has been a recent increase, says Norman Ratcliffe of the British Antarctic Survey.
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<strong>Gentoo penguins -- </strong>Easily identified by the white feathers above their eyes, gentoos are another krill-eating penguin species living in South Georgia. The third largest penguin species, gentoos can grow up to 37 inches (94 centimeters) and are keen hunters -- in fact, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fanimal%2Fgentoo-penguin" target="_blank" target="_blank">they're the fastest underwater bird in the world, reaching speeds up to 22 miles (35 kilometers) per hour.</a>
Gentoo penguins -- Easily identified by the white feathers above their eyes, gentoos are another krill-eating penguin species living in South Georgia. The third largest penguin species, gentoos can grow up to 37 inches (94 centimeters) and are keen hunters -- in fact, they're the fastest underwater bird in the world, reaching speeds up to 22 miles (35 kilometers) per hour.
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<strong>Chinstrap penguins</strong> -- While not as populous as kings, gentoos and macaronis, chinstraps call South Georgia home too. Seen here with its gray-plumed chicks, male and female chinstraps are roughly the same size -- unusual in penguins. Recent data suggests South Georgia's chinstrap population has fallen significantly in recent decades.
Chinstrap penguins -- While not as populous as kings, gentoos and macaronis, chinstraps call South Georgia home too. Seen here with its gray-plumed chicks, male and female chinstraps are roughly the same size -- unusual in penguins. Recent data suggests South Georgia's chinstrap population has fallen significantly in recent decades.
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<strong>Adelie penguins</strong> -- South Georgia is the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.gs%2Fdocsarchive%2FEnvironment%2FBirds%2FSouth%2520Georgia%2520IBA%2520Chapter.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">most northerly known breeding location of Adelie penguins, </a>but they are also spread along the South Sandwich Islands archipelago. They like to nest on ice-free ground and can dive to <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fanimal%2FAdelie-penguin" target="_blank" target="_blank">560 feet </a>(171 meters) in search of prey.
Adelie penguins -- South Georgia is the most northerly known breeding location of Adelie penguins, but they are also spread along the South Sandwich Islands archipelago. They like to nest on ice-free ground and can dive to 560 feet (171 meters) in search of prey.
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