King Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the King Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
King Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
King Penguin
85-95 cm
11-16 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | King Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes patagonicus | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 85-95 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 11-16 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 25-30 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~2,230,000 pairs | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Aptenodytes | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
King Penguin
Least ConcernYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
King Penguin
85-95 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
King Penguin
11-16 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
King Penguin
25-30 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
King Penguin
~2,230,000 pairs
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
King Penguin
Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
King Penguin
Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
King Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
King Penguin
Aptenodytes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
About Each Species
King 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 PenguinYellow-eyed Penguin
Known as Hoiho ('noise shouter') in Māori, this large, pale-faced penguin endemic to New Zealand is one of the world's rarest, unique among penguins for being largely solitary and nesting out of sight of others.
Learn more about Yellow-eyed PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, King Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The King Penguin is larger, standing up to 95cm tall compared to the Yellow-eyed Penguin's 79cm.
Which is more endangered, King Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The King Penguin is classified as "Least Concern" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do King Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
King Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island. Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.