Pygoscelis papua

Location in the Zoo: Aquarium

The gentoo penguin has a bright red-orange beak, a white feather “bonnet,” and peach-colored feet that pop against the stark Antarctic landscape. Gentoo penguin colonies range in size from a few dozen to several thousand. The bird’s most frequently heard call is a loud trumpeting, which it blasts by throwing back its head. Although 15% of its diet is fish, this penguin also eats small fish, squid, krill, and crustaceans. During deep dives, gentoo penguins reduce their heart rate from 100 down to 20 beats per minute. Gentoos molt once a year, replacing all their old feathers while spending 3-4 weeks ashore. They do not feed during this time as they cannot enter the water to feed while featherless.