Penguins of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands | Complete Guide

Emperor penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

The largest of all the penguin species, standing over one meter tall, the emperor penguin is a true icon of Antarctica. With incredible diving abilities, they can reach depths of over 500 meters. They are the only penguins to breed during the harsh Antarctic winter, forming colonies on the sea ice. 

In May/June females lay one single egg before transferring it to the male who incubates the egg for approximately 65 days, balancing it carefully on his feet. During this time males will fast, often huddling together as a thermoregulatory function, conserving their energy as they endure the extreme elements.

Due to their remote breeding locations it’s difficult to see emperor penguins on typical expedition itineraries. However, sightings can be possible on the fast ice close to Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea; and occasionally lone individuals are observed on the Antarctic Peninsula if you are very lucky.

King penguin

Aptenodytes patagonicus

The second-largest penguin species, the king penguin is known for their striking orange ear patches and upright regal stance. They breed in huge numbers on sub-Antarctic islands, and have the longest, most complex breeding cycle of any penguin, lasting 14-16 months. Over three years they raise two chicks, laying a single egg that’s incubated on their feet for 55 days, with both parents sharing incubation duties. 

A visit to a king penguin colony in South Georgia is mind blowing. At St. Andrews Bay over half a million king penguins stretch as far as the eye can see. Salisbury Plain, and Gold Harbour are also popular landing sites hosting dense penguin populations, all featuring dramatic scenery too. Smaller numbers of king penguins can be observed on the Falkland Islands with the largest colony located at Volunteer Point.

The extended breeding cycle means king penguin colonies are occupied year-round, and there’s always plenty to see. You might witness courtship displays, egg incubation, the presence of fluffy brown chicks, once mistaken for a separate species nicknamed ‘woolly penguins’. You might also see the annual catastrophic moult, which is when the penguins resemble exploding pillows, as they replace all of their feathers at once. 

Gentoo penguin

Pygoscelis papua

The largest of the brush-tailed penguins, the gentoos are easily identified by their prominent tail feathers and a distinctive white band running from ear to ear, resembling a white bonnet. Gentoos frequently porpoise through the water, and are the fastest penguins reaching speeds of up to 36 km/h. They have a varied diet, and have been known to make up to 450 dives a day when foraging. 

Gentoos tend to colonise ice-free beaches and grassy slopes constructing their nests from pebbles. Courtship displays can be entertaining to witness with loud trumpeting displays and stone gifting as well as stone thievery. Their breeding cycle is more variable than that of other brush-tailed penguins and is influenced by geographic location. In milder areas egg-laying can begin as early as June, while in colder regions it may not occur until December. Generally, two eggs are laid, with both parents sharing incubation duties for approximately 35 days, with the chicks fledging after 2–3 months.

There are excellent opportunities to observe gentoo penguins on our Secret Atlas small-ship expeditions. The Antarctic Peninsula hosts many colonies, with notable sites including Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour, Danco Island, and Port Lockroy. In South Georgia, look for gentoos alongside king penguins at Gold Harbour, St. Andrews Bay, and Cooper Bay. The Falkland Islands provide great viewing opportunities at Volunteer Point, Saunders Island, and Yorke Bay.

Chinstrap penguin

Pygoscelis antarcticus

Named for the distinctive narrow band of black feathers beneath their chins, these birds are known for their bold personalities and loud, braying calls. Agile climbers’ they prefer to nest in elevated locations and can reach considerable heights despite their small size.

They construct their nests out of pebbles, laying two eggs in late November. Both parents take turns in incubating the egg for about 35-40 days. Chicks typically hatch in January and fledge approximately 7-8 weeks later.

The Antarctic Peninsula is a prime location for chinstrap colonies. Some great sites to visit include Palava Point, on Two Hummock Island, Orne Harbour, and a zodiac cruise along Kinnes Cove. Half Moon Island on the South Shetland islands is home to a chinstrap colony too, which from time to time hosts an unusual visitor in the form a lone macaroni penguin.

In South Georgia, Cooper Bay is home to one of the most northerly populations of chinstrap penguins. If luck is on your side and conditions are favourable, there is a small chinstrap colony living on the rugged and inhospitable Elephant Island, sometimes visits are attempted on our extended expedition itineraries. 

Adélie penguin

Pygoscelis adeliae

Named after the wife of the famous French explorer, Dumont d’Urville. The smallest of the brush-tailed species, the Adélie’s are true Antarctic penguins. Don’t be fooled by size as what they lack in height they make up for with attitude These feisty little birds are easy to identify by their black and white plumage with distinctive white eye rings, almost comical in appearance.

The breeding season runs from November to February. Nesting in large noisy colonies; they lay two eggs in late November which are incubated by both parents for 32-34 days. Chicks hatch in December and grow rapidly, fledging after approximately 2 months. 

Adélies are abundant on the Antarctic Peninsula with large colonies on a number of landing sites including, Paulet Island, Brown Bluff and Petermann Island. A zodiac cruise around the Fish Islands on the western side of the peninsula just north of the Antarctic Circle is another prime viewing spot for Adélie penguins.

Macaroni penguin

Eudyptes chrysolophus

Easily recognisable by their vibrant yellow-orange feathered crest and the loud, raucous colonies they form, the macaronies are agile climbers, nesting on steep, rocky slopes. They lay two eggs in late November, though usually only the second, larger egg hatches successfully. Both parents share incubation duties over a period of about 33–37 days. Chicks fledge at around 60–70 days after hatching.

South Georgia is home to an estimated 3 million breeding pairs of macaroni penguins, providing spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. A large colony can be found at the landing site, Cooper Bay, while macaroni penguins also nest along the cliff edges at Elsehul, offering breath-taking views from the comfort of the zodiacs. In the Falkland Islands, macaroni penguins are present in much smaller numbers, nesting alongside rockhoppers on steep cliff tops.

Rockhopper penguin

Eudyptes chrysocome

The smallest of the crested penguins. The rockhopper penguin have elaborate yellow and black head feathers. If that’s not flamboyant enough, they also have orange beaks, red eyes and pink webbed feet. They have evolved a distinctive way of getting around, they hop from rock to rock and are incredibly agile, utilising their bills, flippers, and webbed feet, even traversing steep cliffs in places.

The rockhopper breeding season spans from October to November. They lay two eggs, usually only the second, larger egg survives. Incubation lasts around 32-34 days, with both parents sharing duties. Chicks hatch in December, and typically fledge by early March. 

Southern rockhoppers can be found on sub-Antarctic Islands, with some of the best viewing opportunities on the Falkland Islands; particularly when visiting Steeple Jason, Saunders Island and West Point Island.