🐧About 1 MILLION king penguins call this remote sub-Antarctic island home! South Georgia Island hosts about half the global population of these penguins due to the ocean food availability and suitable ice-free habitat for breeding in locations such as Saint Andrews Bay. King penguins are the second largest species of penguins in the world standing at 1m (3.2ft) tall. They are distinguished by bright orange-yellow ear patches, a dark silvery-grey back body, and a white belly. Life for a king penguin is closely tied to the ocean. They are powerful swimmers and expert divers, often plunging over 100 meters deep to hunt fish and squid. Their streamlined bodies and flipper-like wings are built to "fly" underwater with speed and agility. They also have the longest breeding cycle of any bird! It lasts about 14 to 16 months from egg-laying to the chick becoming independent. Because this process takes longer than a full year, they cannot breed annually and usually raise only one chick every two years. South Georgia Island is a popular spot for king penguins as it offers ice-free land for their long breeding cycle and is surrounded by cold, nutrient-rich waters full of food like fish and squid. Its remote location and sheltered coastline also provide a safe, stable environment for the large colonies they depend on. You can experience observing king penguins in South Georgia Island with @aurora expeditions! #penguins #southgeorgiaisland #birdlover #AuroraPartner #AuroraExpeditions - @thenatureeducator