King Penguin chick (Aptenodytes patagonicus) King penguin chicks are born with a thick fur layer that protects them during their first year. As they molt the fur, the striking colors of King penguins slowly appear from underneath. Penguins have no fear of humans and this chick posed just a few feet from me. Footing is difficult since the wet ground is composed of layers of penguin guano. Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island