Reader photo: Heard Island Penguins
3 July 2014
King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) return from feeding grounds on Heard Island.
Image credit: Anthony Palliser
King Penguins are ready to receive their loyal subjects in their sub-Antarctic kingdom
This week’s reader photo was taken by Anthony on Heard Island in the sub-Antarctic.
Heard Island is a popular breeding ground for the penguins, who find the waters of the island filled with their favourite food – lanternfish. On foraging trips they repeatedly dive to over 100 metres to find laternfish, other small fish and squid. They have even been recorded hunting at depths greater than 300 metres!
King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are the second-largest species of penguin (only the emperor penguin is larger) and can grow between 70cm to 100cm tall and weigh up to 16kg.
Share your own photography and it could be featured on Australian Geographic online!
You can submit your images to us directly HERE
