Biography
The Gentoo Penguin (pronounced /ˈdʒɛntuː/), Pygoscelis papua, is easily recognized by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts. Adult Gentoos reach a height of 75 to 90 cm (30-36 in), making them the largest penguins outside of the two giant species, the Emperor Penguin and the King Penguin. They are the fastest underwater swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 36 km/h.
The application of Gentoo to the penguin is unclear, according to the OED, which reports that Gentoo was an Anglo-Indian term, used as early as 1638 to distinguish Hindus in India from Muslims, the English term originating in Portuguese gentio (compare "gentile"); in the twentieth century the term came to be regarded as derogatory.
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Description
Males have a maximum weight of about 8.5 kg (18.8 lbs) just before moulting, and a minimum weight of about 5.5 kg (12 lbs) just before mating. For females the maximum weight is 7.5 kg (16.6 lbs) just before moulting, but their weight drops to below 5 kg (11 lbs) when guarding the chicks in the nest.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.