Photo: Liam Quinn / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Gentoo Penguin
Pygoscelis papua
Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) — Penguins of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is a member of the Spheniscidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 5.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Sphenisciformes
- Family Spheniscidae Penguins
- Genus Pygoscelis
- Species papua
Quick facts
- Weight
- 5.9 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Spheniscidae
- Order
- Sphenisciformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Endangered
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Gentoo Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Gentoo Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is a species of bird in the Spheniscidae family, part of the order Sphenisciformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO mainly subantarctic is., locally Antarctic is.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 5.9 kg, with a wing length of about 12.6 cm and a tail of around 12.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 31,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Gentoo Penguin?
The Gentoo Penguin is a very large bird that weighs around 5.9 kg.
Where does the Gentoo Penguin live?
The Gentoo Penguin is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO mainly subantarctic is., locally Antarctic is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Gentoo Penguin belong to?
The Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) belongs to the Spheniscidae family, in the order Sphenisciformes.
What does the Gentoo Penguin eat?
The Gentoo Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Gentoo Penguin migrate?
The Gentoo Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Gentoo Penguin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Gentoo Penguin make?
1 real field recording of the Gentoo Penguin — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Gentoo Penguin's range?
The Gentoo Penguin has a mapped global range of about 31,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Spheniscidae
Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Penguins
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern