Chinstrap Penguin vs King Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Chinstrap Penguin and King Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Chinstrap Penguin
King Penguin
Size Comparison
Chinstrap Penguin
68-77 cm
3.2-5.3 kg
King Penguin
85-95 cm
11-16 kg
| Feature | Chinstrap Penguin | King Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Pygoscelis antarcticus | Aptenodytes patagonicus |
| Height | 68-77 cm | 85-95 cm |
| Weight | 3.2-5.3 kg | 11-16 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 25-30 years |
| Population | ~8,000,000 pairs | ~2,230,000 pairs |
| Diet | Krill, Shrimp, Small fish | Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans |
| Habitat | Antarctic Peninsula, Sub-Antarctic islands | Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines |
| Regions | South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island |
| Genus | Pygoscelis | Aptenodytes |
Conservation Status
Chinstrap Penguin
Least ConcernKing Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Chinstrap Penguin
Pygoscelis antarcticus
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Height
Chinstrap Penguin
68-77 cm
King Penguin
85-95 cm
Weight
Chinstrap Penguin
3.2-5.3 kg
King Penguin
11-16 kg
Lifespan
Chinstrap Penguin
15-20 years
King Penguin
25-30 years
Population
Chinstrap Penguin
~8,000,000 pairs
King Penguin
~2,230,000 pairs
Diet
Chinstrap Penguin
Krill, Shrimp, Small fish
King Penguin
Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans
Habitat
Chinstrap Penguin
Antarctic Peninsula, Sub-Antarctic islands
King Penguin
Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines
Regions
Chinstrap Penguin
South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula
King Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island
Genus
Chinstrap Penguin
Pygoscelis
King Penguin
Aptenodytes
About Each Species
Chinstrap Penguin
Named for the narrow black band under their heads that resembles a helmet strap, Chinstraps are famously noisy, pugnacious, and among the most abundant penguins in the Antarctic region.
Learn more about Chinstrap PenguinKing Penguin
The second-largest penguin species, King Penguins form some of the largest and densest seabird colonies on Earth, with striking orange and yellow markings and an unusually long 14–16 month breeding cycle.
Learn more about King PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Chinstrap Penguin or King Penguin?
The King Penguin is larger, standing up to 95cm tall compared to the Chinstrap Penguin's 77cm.
Which is more endangered, Chinstrap Penguin or King Penguin?
The Chinstrap Penguin is classified as "Least Concern" while the King Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Chinstrap Penguins and King Penguins live in the same area?
Chinstrap Penguins are found in South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. King Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island.