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Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo penguins During courtship, a male penguin will choose a nest site and begin to build a nest of pebbles to try and attract a female. If she likes what she sees, she’ll join in and the two will continue building up their little pebble mound in preparation for the eggs.

 

As the third largest species of penguin behind emperor penguins and king penguins, gentoos stand about 70–95 centimeters (27.6–37.4 inches) tall and weigh up to 8.5 kilograms (18.7 pounds). They’re easily recognized by their long tail feathers, vibrant orange-red beak, and distinctive white eye markings. Found along shorelines on sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, these penguins prefer areas full of small pebbles — perfect for building their nests. 

Each breeding season, gentoos gather in colonies that can number more than 4,000 birds. Each mated pair builds a pebble nest together, which they fiercely defend from other penguins. Both parents share responsibilities for incubating two eggs and feeding the chicks, which fledge after about three months. Outside the breeding season, adults spend most of their time at sea, foraging for prey like fish, krill, and shrimp in cold, nutrient-rich waters. While adults can fall prey to predators like leopard seals and sea lions, chicks face the greatest risk from seabirds as well.

 

 

While gentoo penguin populations are currently stable, fisheries do pose some threat by depleting their food sources and sometimes accidentally capturing these seabirds. Oil spills, plastic pollution, and human disturbance near breeding colonies also pose risks. 

 

 

From combatting plastic pollution and stopping the expansion of new offshore drilling to fighting for responsible fishing around the world, Oceana’s campaigns zero in on tackling the largest threats to the world’s oceans. Learn more about our work to protect ocean life here.

 

 

 

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