Emperor penguin — size comparison

The emperor penguin is the largest living penguin. It has a black back, a pale belly and yellow-orange patches on the sides of its head. Around Antarctica, it hunts fish, krill and squid. Stiff, flipper-like wings propel it underwater, while dense feathers and body fat reduce heat loss.

Breeding takes place during the Antarctic winter. The female lays one egg, passes it to the male and returns to sea. He holds it on his feet beneath a fold of skin, fasting for an extended period and using stored fat. Penguins huddle against cold and wind, continually changing positions between the exposed edge and warmer centre.

After hatching, both parents alternate feeding and warming the chick. Distinctive calls help partners and young find each other in a crowded colony.

Measurement sources

• Wymiar porównania — źródło przeglądu rozmiarów
• Status ochrony — IUCN