Eastern Rockhopper Penguin vs King Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin and King Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
King Penguin
Size Comparison
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
2-3.4 kg
King Penguin
85-95 cm
11-16 kg
| Feature | Eastern Rockhopper Penguin | King Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes filholi | Aptenodytes patagonicus |
| Height | 45-58 cm | 85-95 cm |
| Weight | 2-3.4 kg | 11-16 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-30 years | 25-30 years |
| Population | ~1,600,000 pairs | ~2,230,000 pairs |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans | Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass | Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines |
| Regions | Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Aptenodytes |
Conservation Status
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
VulnerableKing Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes filholi
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Height
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
King Penguin
85-95 cm
Weight
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
2-3.4 kg
King Penguin
11-16 kg
Lifespan
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
10-30 years
King Penguin
25-30 years
Population
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
~1,600,000 pairs
King Penguin
~2,230,000 pairs
Diet
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans
King Penguin
Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans
Habitat
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass
King Penguin
Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines
Regions
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island
King Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island
Genus
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes
King Penguin
Aptenodytes
About Each Species
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Recognized as a distinct species from the Western Rockhopper since 2006, Eastern Rockhoppers breed on sub-Antarctic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and share the same bold yellow crest and red eyes as their relatives.
Learn more about Eastern Rockhopper 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, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or King Penguin?
The King Penguin is larger, standing up to 95cm tall compared to the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin's 58cm.
Which is more endangered, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or King Penguin?
The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the King Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and King Penguins live in the same area?
Eastern Rockhopper Penguins are found in Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island. King Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island.