Meet the King Penguin of the Falkland Islands

Meet the King PenguinThe king penguin is the second-largest penguin species on Earth, and an unmistakable presence in the Falkland Islands. Standing nearly a metre tall, with sleek silver backs, bright orange ear patches, and elegant posture, they look almost regal—hence the name. In the Falklands, one small but thriving colony can be found at Volunteer Point, a highlight for any visitor.

King penguins belong to the great penguin group, alongside their larger cousin, the emperor penguin. Unlike most penguins that breed on a seasonal cycle, king penguins have a much longer and more unusual timeline. From egg laying to chick fledging can take over 13 months, meaning they don’t breed every year and colonies are busy year-round with birds at all stages of development.

Their diet consists mainly of small fish—particularly lanternfish—and some squid. They can dive over 300 meters deep in search of food and spend much of their time at sea, often travelling hundreds of kilometers during foraging trips.

Watching king penguins in the Falklands is a mesmerizing experience: the soft calls between mates, the brown, fluffy chicks huddled together, and the slow, graceful movements of adults. They embody both resilience and beauty in one of the planet’s most remote corners.