Chicks have grey backs with white fronts.
Two sub-species are recognised. P. p. papua and the smaller P.p. ellsworthii . Height Adult Gentoos reach a height of 75 to 90 cm. Weight Males have their maximum weight of about 8 kg just before moulting and their minimum weight of about 5.5kg just before mating. For females the maximum weight is 7.5kg just before moulting but their weight drops to below 5 kg when guarding the chicks in the nest.