Gentoo Penguin

Pygoscelis papua
Breeding Range: Subantarctic islands, Antarctic Peninsula and Argentina
Length: 80cm.
Falklands Population: 110,000 breeding pairs
World Population: 320,000 breeding pairs

Gentoo Penguin
Gentoo Penguins nest in colonies adjacent to sandy or shingle beaches at over 80 locations around the Falklands. Two eggs of equal size are laid in late October, with birds re-laying if the first brood is lost. Chicks form into creches at 4 weeks of age, and fledge at 14 weeks in early February. Adults generally forage close to shore within 20km of the breeding site. Diet consists of roughly equal proportions of fish, squid and Lobster Krill found at depths of 20 to 100 metres.
Adults can begin breeding at 2 years of age. Sexes are similar in appearance. The Falklands population suffered a rapid decline during the 1980s and early 1990s due to over-fishing. However the Gentoos diverse diet and ability to switch to alternative species that are not harvested by commercial fishing, has allowed them to reach an equilibrium, albeit at a lower population level than prior to the onset of commercial fishing.
SEE ALSO
The decline of Falkland Islands penguins in the presence of a commercial fishing industry
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Drawing by Mike Bingham, Š2022

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