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Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Standing over 4 feet tall and braving temperatures of -60°C, these remarkable Antarctic giants march up to 75 miles across sea ice to reach their breeding colonies.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

Emperor Penguins are the largest of all penguin species, with a distinctive black and white plumage. They have a black head with white ear patches, a black back, and a white belly. Their flippers are black on the outer side and white underneath.

Both males and females look similar, with bright yellow-orange patches on the sides of their necks. Juveniles have lighter, greyer plumage and lack the vibrant neck patches of adults.

Size

Length

100cm to 130cm

Wingspan

76cm to 89cm

Weight

22kg to 45kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Secondary Colour

Yellow Orange

Beak Colour

Black Pink

Leg Colour

Black

Special Accolade

Deepest Diver

Deepest recorded dive of any bird

Record: 565 m (1,854 ft) deep

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Emperor Penguin can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Emperor Penguin can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Emperor Penguin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Emperor Penguins are found exclusively in Antarctica, inhabiting the pack ice and coastal regions around the continent. They breed on stable sea ice during the harsh Antarctic winter, requiring ice that remains intact for several months.

During the non-breeding season, they spend much of their time at sea, venturing into the Southern Ocean to feed. Their distribution is closely tied to the extent and quality of sea ice.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 500 meters

Climate zones

Antarctic, Subantarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Emperor Penguin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons