Humboldt Penguin vs King Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Humboldt Penguin and King Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Humboldt Penguin
King Penguin
Size Comparison
Humboldt Penguin
56-70 cm
3.6-5.9 kg
King Penguin
85-95 cm
11-16 kg
| Feature | Humboldt Penguin | King Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Spheniscus humboldti | Aptenodytes patagonicus |
| Height | 56-70 cm | 85-95 cm |
| Weight | 3.6-5.9 kg | 11-16 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 25-30 years |
| Population | ~23,800 individuals | ~2,230,000 pairs |
| Diet | Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid | Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Desert coasts, Islands | Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines |
| Regions | Peru, Chile | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island |
| Genus | Spheniscus | Aptenodytes |
Conservation Status
Humboldt Penguin
VulnerableKing Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus humboldti
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Height
Humboldt Penguin
56-70 cm
King Penguin
85-95 cm
Weight
Humboldt Penguin
3.6-5.9 kg
King Penguin
11-16 kg
Lifespan
Humboldt Penguin
15-20 years
King Penguin
25-30 years
Population
Humboldt Penguin
~23,800 individuals
King Penguin
~2,230,000 pairs
Diet
Humboldt Penguin
Anchovies, Sardines, Herring, Squid
King Penguin
Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans
Habitat
Humboldt Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Desert coasts, Islands
King Penguin
Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines
Regions
Humboldt Penguin
Peru, Chile
King Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island
Genus
Humboldt Penguin
Spheniscus
King Penguin
Aptenodytes
About Each Species
Humboldt Penguin
Named after the cold Humboldt Current, these penguins live along the coasts of Peru and Chile in one of the most arid environments inhabited by any penguin, nesting in burrows dug into guano deposits.
Learn more about Humboldt 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, Humboldt Penguin or King Penguin?
The King Penguin is larger, standing up to 95cm tall compared to the Humboldt Penguin's 70cm.
Which is more endangered, Humboldt Penguin or King Penguin?
The Humboldt Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the King Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Humboldt Penguins and King Penguins live in the same area?
Humboldt Penguins are found in Peru, Chile. King Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island.