King Penguin
high confidenceAptenodytes patagonicus
A group of large penguins in a chilled zoo/aquarium exhibit with artificial rockwork and ice. Key features: bright orange-yellow comma-shaped auricular (ear) patches that are sharply teardrop-shaped rather than merging into the breast, a long slender bill with a pinkish-orange mandibular plate, silvery-grey dorsal plumage, and a whitish belly with a soft yellow wash on the upper breast. One bird at left appears to be in heavy moult. These traits, together with the moderate size, indicate King Penguin rather than the larger Emperor Penguin.
Other possibilities:
- Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) — Also a large penguin with yellow head patches, but in Emperors the yellow ear patch blends diffusely into the pale breast and the birds are bulkier with a shorter, more decurved bill.
- Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) — Frequently housed in the same cold-water exhibits, but Gentoos have a white bonnet-like head patch and an orange bill, lacking the orange auricular commas seen here.
2026-08-16