King Penguins

King Penguins

Context: We discuss specifically about King Penguins here in the context of above post. Sometimes UPSC has tendency to ask behavior and specific information about animals/birds in news.

About King Penguins:
• Size and Appearance: King Penguins are the second largest penguin species on Earth, standing at 70 to 100 cm (28 to 39 in) tall and weighing from 9.3 to 18 kg (21 to 40 lb). They have a silvery-grey back with a blackish-brown head decorated with striking ear patches of bright golden-orange feathers
• Habitat: King Penguins live on rocky islands in the sub-Antarctic. They prefer shores and valleys that are free of snow and ice, and can usually be found near the sea.
• Diet: King Penguins are epic hunters, eating as many as 2,000 fish in a single day. They use their large flippers to swim at speeds of six miles an hour in pursuit of lanternfish and squid.
• Social Behavior: King Penguins are diurnal and social animals, gathering in large colonies. They travel long distances (up to 500 km) from their breeding areas to forage.
• Reproduction: King Penguins do not build nests. Instead, the male and female take turns cradling their eggs on top of their feet and keeping young warm with a special flap of naked skin known as the brood pouch.
• Threats: King Penguins face threats from predators such as orcas, leopard seals, Antarctic fur seals, and South American sea lions. On land, they must also protect their eggs and chicks from avian predators such as giant petrels, skuas, lesser sheathbills, turkey vultures, and caracaras.
• Lifespan: King Penguins can live for 15 to 20 years in the wild, and up to 30 years in captivity.

Difference between King Penguin and Emperor Penguin

Size and Appearance
• Emperor Penguins are the largest of all penguin species, standing up to 4 feet tall and weighing up to 88 pounds. They have a black head and back, while their belly is white.
• King Penguins are slightly smaller, standing up to 3 feet tall and weighing up to 35 pounds. They have a more colorful plumage than Emperor Penguins, with bright orange patches on their necks and beaks.

Habitat
• Emperor Penguins are found in the Antarctic, while King Penguins are found in sub-Antarctic regions such as the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
• Emperor Penguins breed on the ice, while King Penguins breed on land.

Breeding
• Emperor Penguins have a unique breeding cycle that involves the male taking care of the egg while the female goes off to feed. This cycle can last up to 4 months.
• In contrast, King Penguins have a shorter breeding cycle, with both parents taking turns to incubate the egg.

Social Structure
• King Penguins live in groups even when there is no mating season, while Emperor Penguins live alone after/before the mating season.

Which is the smallest species of Penguin?
• The smallest species of penguin is the Little Blue Penguin also known as the Fairy Penguin or scientifically, Eudyptula minor. They are native to southern Australia and New Zealand.