King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are large, majestic birds native to the subantarctic regions of the Southern Ocean. Here’s a description of their distribution:

1. Antarctica: King penguins are primarily found on subantarctic islands surrounding the Antarctic continent, including South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, Prince Edward Islands, and the South Sandwich Islands. These islands provide important breeding and foraging grounds for king penguins.
2. Subantarctic Islands: King penguins are also found on several subantarctic islands farther north, such as the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, and Macquarie Island. These islands have suitable habitat and climate conditions for breeding colonies of king penguins.

King penguins have distinctive black and white plumage with a bright orange patch on their necks. They are the second-largest species of penguin, after the emperor penguin, and are known for their upright posture and regal appearance.

These penguins feed primarily on small fish and squid, which they catch by diving deep into the ocean. They are highly adapted to life in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean and can swim long distances in search of food.

King penguins are highly social birds, often forming large breeding colonies that can number in the tens of thousands. They breed in colonies on rocky beaches or grassy slopes, where they build nests out of pebbles, grass, and other materials.

Despite their relatively large population size, king penguins face threats from climate change, habitat disturbance, and human activities such as fishing and pollution. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their breeding and foraging grounds, including the establishment of marine protected areas and research to monitor population trends.