a comprehensive resource of avian nutrition research for captive bird populations

Gentoo Penguin

Pygoscelis papua

Sphenisciformes - Spheniscus

Wild diet: Antarctic krill and fish mainly, also crustaceans and occasionally cephalopods and polychaetes. Studies have shown that crustaceans dominate the Gentoo’s diet between March-June, and fish are accounted for almost all of the diet from January- March. Changes in diet appear to reflect the changes in prey availability within inshore waters.

Feeding strategy: Gentoo Penguin dives normally last between 0.5-1.5mins and rarely exceeds 2mins, they are normally quite shallow and a large majority were less than 20m. During breeding season, Gentoo penguins will only travel 10-20km from their colonies to forage. Studies have shown that a large proportion of foraging trips are spent engaging in feeding behaviours as opposed to travelling. Shallow dives are thought to be exploratory dives, whereas deeper dives are used for feeding. Changes in prey distribution seem to be the reason for the Gentoo’s diving pattern, as opposed to diving ability.

Wild weight ranges: 4.5-8.5kg

Captive data information

Examples of diets in use

There are no diets in use yet for the Gentoo Penguin.


Please keep us up-to-date and contact us with your own updates or new diets used for the Gentoo Penguin.

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