King Penguins are abundant on their breeding islands, with some colonies numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

They face threats from oil spills and climate change, which can lead to loss of breeding habitat and shifts in prey populations.

Changes in sea temperature and ice cover affect the abundance and distribution of King Penguins’ prey, crucially impacting chick survival rates.

Emperor penguins and king penguins are the two largest penguin species and are often confused due to their similar appearance. However, key differences make it easier to tell them apart.

Size: Emperor Penguins are the largest penguins, standing about 115 cm (45 inches) tall and weighing between 22 and 45 kg (49 to 99 pounds). Meanwhile, King Penguins are slightly smaller; they stand around 90 cm (35 inches) tall and weigh between 11 and 16 kg (24 to 35 pounds).

Colouration: Emperor Penguins have more extensive yellow-orange patches on the sides of their necks and less pronounced orange on their upper chests. King Penguins feature more vivid and extensive orange patches on their chests and sides of their heads, extending to the top of their chests.

Habitat: Emperor Penguins breed exclusively on the Antarctic ice and are adapted to the harshest winter conditions on Earth. King Penguins, however, prefer subantarctic islands and are rarely found on the Antarctic mainland. They breed on islands such as South Georgia, Crozet, and the Falkland Islands.

King Penguins can dive deeper than most air-breathing animals, reaching depths of over 300 metres to hunt fish and squid.