Which species of penguin actually live in Antarctica?

21/08/2025

We take a look at the species of penguin that call Antarctica home, those that reside in subantarctic zones, and those that stay well away!

When it comes to penguins, we at UKAHT naturally have our favourites. The colony at Port Lockroy, home to over 1,000 gentoo penguins, holds a particularly special place in our hearts. With their vivid orange beaks, white-feather bonnets and pink-tinged feet, gentoos are undeniably striking. 

That said, all penguin species share some common attributes: they are black and white, can’t fly, and are undeniably captivating. Yet, despite their shared tuxedoed look and flightless nature, penguins come in an array of forms, each with its own charm and distinctive traits.

Distribution of penguins around the world (Phoenix_B_1of3/CC0 1.0)

In total, there are 18 species of penguin. However, just two species can rightfully be considered true natives of the Antarctic continent. Another three species breed on the milder, northern edge of the Antarctic Peninsula and often take to the sea or ride the ice northwards. A further five species live exclusively in the warmer, more northerly, subantarctic regions of the Southern Hemisphere. And finally, eight species of penguin do not live in Antarctica at all. With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at which species of penguin actually live in Antarctica.

Penguin species that live exclusively on the Antarctic continent

Only two species of penguins –  the emperor and the Adélie – can truly claim to call the Antarctic continent their true home.

1. Emperor

The emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest and heaviest of all living penguin species and one of only two species of penguin that live exclusively on the Antarctic continent. 

Emperors are one of only two species that live entirely on mainland Antarctica  (Canva)

Adapted to some of the harshest conditions on Earth, emperor penguins endure temperatures as low as -60°C and winds of over 100km/h. They breed during the Antarctic winter, forming large colonies on the sea ice where males incubate a single egg on their feet under a brood pouch for about two months while females hunt for food. 

Their remarkable ability to survive in such an extreme environment, relying entirely on the icy landscape of Antarctica, makes them a powerful symbol of polar resilience. However, unfortunately, they are also one of the most at-risk species due to the melting ice caused by climate change, leading to habitat loss as well as pollution and industrial fishing.

• In conversation with… penguin counter Peter Fretwell
  

2. Adélie

The Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is the only other penguin species found exclusively on the Antarctic continent. Smaller and more agile than their emperor cousins, Adélie penguins are well adapted to life along the icy coastline, where they nest on rocky, ice-free ground during the summer breeding season. 

Adélie penguins are one of only two species that live entirely on mainland Antarctica (Canva)

They build nests from small stones and fiercely defend their territories within crowded colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands. Unlike emperor penguins, Adélies are strong swimmers and rely on open water to hunt for krill, fish and squid, often travelling long distances to feed. 

Their strict dependence on sea ice and accessible coastal areas also makes them especially vulnerable to environmental changes, making them an important species for monitoring the health of the Antarctic ecosystem.

Penguin species that live in northern Antarctica and subantarctic islands 

The gentoo, chinstrap and macaroni species of penguin breed on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where conditions are less harsh, and often take to the sea or ride the ice northwards. 

3. Gentoo

The gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) is a firm favourite at UKAHT, with the colony at Port Lockroy home to over 1,000 gentoo penguins. With their wildfire-orange beaks, white-feather bonnets and rosy feet, the gentoo makes for a handsome penguin.

Gentoos enjoying the snow at Port Lockroy (UKAHT/Jérôme Viard)

They are one of three penguin species to inhabit the northern reaches of Antarctica as well as several subantarctic islands. The gentoo is the fastest swimming penguin species, reaching speeds of up to 36km/h. Gentoos typically nest in ice-free coastal areas, using stones and grass to build circular nests, and they breed earlier than most Antarctic penguins, often raising two chicks. 

Their range extends beyond the Antarctic Peninsula to islands such as South Georgia and the Falklands, allowing them to exploit a variety of marine environments. This broader distribution makes them more resilient to certain environmental changes, though they are still vulnerable to shifts in sea ice patterns and prey availability linked to climate change.

• 22 interesting facts about gentoo penguins
• Where do our gentoo penguins go in winter?

4. Chinstrap

Named for the distinctive black band that runs around its neck, the chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) is a medium-sized penguin and among the most numerous, with several million breeding pairs found across the Scotia Arc, the South Sandwich Islands, and the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. 

Named for the distinctive 'chin' band (Canva)

Chinstraps are highly social and nest in large, noisy colonies on rocky slopes, where they build simple nests from stones. Agile swimmers and capable climbers, they feed primarily on krill and can travel considerable distances at sea to forage. 

While their population remains robust in some regions, chinstrap numbers have declined in others, likely due to changing sea ice conditions and shifts in prey distribution caused by climate change. Their widespread presence and sensitivity to environmental shifts make them a valuable species for understanding the impacts of warming in the Southern Ocean.

5. Macaroni

The macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is one of the world’s most numerous penguin species. Instantly recognisable by its vivid yellow-orange crest feathers that sweep back from the forehead, the macaroni penguin breeds on rocky, remote islands such as South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the South Orkneys. 

A macaroni penguin (Canva)

They form densely packed colonies, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands, nesting on steep, rugged terrain, often far from the shore. Macaroni penguins are strong, efficient swimmers and dive deep to hunt krill, fish, and squid.

Penguin species that live exclusively in the subantarctic

Five penguin species of penguin reside exclusively in the warmer, more northerly, subantarctic regions of the Southern Hemisphere. 

6. Northern rockhopper

Historically, it was widely accepted that there was only one species of the rockhopper penguin. However, in 2006, the rockhopper penguin was recognised as two different species, the northern rockhopper (Eudyptes moseleyi) and the southern rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome). 

Distinguished by its spiky yellow crest feathers and striking red eyes, the northern rockhopper is found primarily on isolated islands in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, including Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. 

Northern Rockhopper penguins on Gough Island (Credit: Frankie Gamble/Shutterstock)

Unlike their Antarctic cousins, these penguins breed in a milder, though still rugged, environment, nesting among tussock grass and rocky outcrops. They are agile climbers, using their strong legs to hop up steep, uneven terrain – a trait that gives them their apt name.

7. Southern rockhopper

The most noticeable difference between southern and northern rockhoppers is that the 'eyebrow' of the northern is significantly longer than that of their Southern relatives. Northern rockhoppers are also slightly larger and have longer crest feathers, while southern rockhoppers are smaller and have shorter, spikier crests.

A Southern Rockhopper penguin n the Falkland islands (Credit: Giedriius/Shutterstock)

Found on remote islands such as the Falklands, South Georgia, and islands around southern South America and New Zealand, the southern rockhopper also boasts spiky yellow crest feathers, red eyes, and a distinctive bounding gait over rocky terrain. 

These small but hardy penguins nest in large, noisy colonies on steep cliffs and grassy slopes, often braving strong winds and rough seas. They feed mainly on krill, squid, and small fish, diving to impressive depths for their size. 

8. Magallanic

The Magallanic penguin (Spheniscus magallanicus) is native to the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. These medium-sized penguins are recognised by the two bold black bands across their chest and their distinctive braying calls, often likened to the sound of a donkey. 

A Magallanic penguin (Canva)

Magellanic penguins nest in burrows or under shrubs, forming large colonies along coastal plains and beaches. They are migratory, travelling thousands of kilometres north after breeding to forage in the open ocean. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, squid and crustaceans.

9. King

Second in size only to the emperor penguin, the king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is recognised by its sleek silver-grey back, bright orange ear patches, and graceful upright posture. 

King penguins are known for their graceful appearance (Canva)

The king penguin breeds on subantarctic islands such as South Georgia, the Falklands and the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands, often forming vast colonies on flat, ice-free coastal plains. Unlike most penguins, king penguins have an unusually long breeding cycle, taking over a year to raise a single chick, which means they often breed in alternating years. 

They are expert divers, sometimes plunging to depths of over 300 metres in search of lanternfish and squid.

10. Royal

The royal penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli) is a crested penguin species closely related to the macaroni penguin and is found almost exclusively on Macquarie Island, a remote subantarctic island administered by Australia.

The royal is a crested penguin species closely related to the macaroni (Canva)

Recognisable by its pale white face – unlike the black-faced macaroni penguin – and its striking yellow-orange crest, the royal penguin breeds in large, densely packed colonies on the island’s beaches and grassy slopes. Like other crested penguins, they are strong swimmers and feed mainly on krill, squid, and small fish.

Penguin species that do not live in Antarctica 

1. African penguin (Spheniscus demersus): found along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia.
2. Erect-crested penguin (Eudyptes sclateri): breeds on the Antipodes Islands and Bounty Islands of New Zealand.
3. Fiordland penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus): native to the southwest coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
4. Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus): lives around the equator on the Galápagos Islands; the northernmost penguin species and the only one north of the equator.
5. Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti): native to coastal Peru and Chile.
6. Little penguin (Eudyptula minor): lives along the southern coasts of Australia and New Zealand.
7. Snares penguin (Eudyptes robustus): endemic to the Snares Islands, south of New Zealand.
8. Yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes): found on the southeastern coast of New Zealand and nearby islands.