Large breeding colonies of Gentoos are found on South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Kerguelen Isles, the largest distribution of any penguin, however they number less than the others.
Gentoos are distinguished from the smaller Adelie and Chinstrap species by their bright red-orange bills and conspicuous white patches behind their eyes. Long stiff tail feathers stick out behind them as they walk.

When swimming, these prominent tails are often cocked up in the water, making them fairly easy to spot.