Gentoo penguin
Gentoo penguins are easily recognised by the white patch on the upper section of their head, behind their eyes. Their bill and feet are an orange colour.
Where to find them?
You can find them in the Antarctic habitat of Oceanogràfic.
Penguins are flightless birds whose distribution, although popularly believed to be at both poles, is confined solely to the southern hemisphere, from the equator to Antarctica. Despite being birds, their adaptation to the environment has made them lose their ability to fly, although they are excellent swimmers.
Which region do they inhabit?
They live throughout the Glacial Antarctic Ocean, where they spend most of the year. In South America, we find them on the coast of Argentina during the southern winter, although they nest in the Falkland Islands. They are occasionally seen in New Zealand and also in Tasmania. The total population of these penguins in 1990 was estimated to be around 3,000 couples.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding season begins in different months depending on the location. They nest once per year on the oceanic islands and peninsula of Antarctica.
The nests of the colony can be found two kilometres from the coast, on hills of 200 metres of elevation. They are quite large (20cm tall x 25cm in diameter) and are generally made from a rounded pile of pebbles, jealously cared for by their owners, as they can serve to court the female.
The brood consists of two eggs, although in general only one chick is born. In the colonies to the north, if the brood is lost, it is possible that the couple may nest again, while in populations in the south, they are normally not replaced. Incubation lasts from 31 to 39 days. Chicks have a grey back and white front area.