Pygoscelis papua

Known for their playfulness, Gentoos are strong swimmers, using their flippers to propel through water at high speeds. They feed on fish, squid, and krill, diving up to 200 meters in search of food.

They nest in large, noisy colonies, where couples form strong bonds and share parenting duties. Nests are built from stones, and they are known to be quite picky about selecting the perfect pebble for their mate.

Among the fastest underwater swimming birds, they can reach speeds of 36 km/h. Gentoos have a tail that is longer than other penguins, which they wag from side to side as they walk.

The Gentoo Penguin has a history of adaptability, with its populations fluctuating due to environmental changes and human activities. They have been resilient, adjusting to various sub-Antarctic habitats over time.

Classified as Near Threatened, Gentoos face threats from climate change and human disturbance. While some populations are decreasing, others are increasing, possibly due to shifts in ice conditions affecting their habitat and prey availability. Conservation efforts include habitat protection and research to understand their resilience to environmental changes.