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The Gentoo Penguin has a circumpolar distribution. One of the largest populations in the world is to be found in the Falkland Islands (66,000 pairs - Census Report 2005-06 (5.8MbPDF)). Numbers fluctuate but have averaged about 100,000 pairs over the 75 years (see Status). They are resident in the Islands throughout the year, and distributed all around the coastline. There are a total of 85 breeding colonies: 17 on outlying islands, 32 on mainland West Falkland and 36 on mainland East Falkland. These may be up to 5 km (3 miles) inland, reached by traditional, often circuitous, routes.
This is the second largest Falkland penguin, standing about 76 cms (30 ins) tall. It has a distinctive white bar over the crown of the head, a long orange and black bill, a blue-black back, under parts silver-white, and orange feet. It is very inquisitive.
It has a variety of calls, the most frequent being a loud trumpeting uttered with the head thrown back.
Breeding colonies range from 7 to 7,000 birds. Nest building starts in September using diddle-dee torn from nearby plants, grasses, small stones or even hard lumps of mud. Two large round white eggs are laid in October. The young are fully moulted by late January, and ready to go to sea in late February.
Gentoo penguins feed extensively on lobster krill, but squid and fish (blue whiting) are also important food.
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