Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are a group of aquatic, flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galapagos penguin, found north of the equator. Penguins are highly adapted to life in the water and have streamlined bodies and wing-like flippers. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid and other marine animals.
The largest living species is the emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), which stands up to 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) tall and weighs 35 kg (77 lb). The smallest penguin is the little blue penguin or fairy penguin (Eudyptula minor), also known as the blue fairy penguin, which stands just over 30 cm (12 in) tall and weighs 1 kg (2.2 lb). African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) breed on 24 islands off southern Africa; they range from 38 cm to 58 cm tall (15–23 in) and weigh between 2 kg to 4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb). Penguin populations worldwide are declining due largely to habitat loss and human disturbance such as oil spills; however some populations are increasing due to successful conservation efforts.
Penguins have been popularized by their association with cold environments; most species live where temperatures do not exceed 20 °C (68 °F). However, certain Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species reach much higher latitudes: emperor penguins breed at 77°S near McMurdo Sound on Ross Island; king penguins breed on Macquarie Island at 54°30’S 158°50’E; Adélie penguins breed at 67°16’S 142°59’E on Petrel Island in Commonwealth Bay—farther south than any other bird except for perhaps the Antarctic petrel—and chinstrap penguins breed even farther south at 62°00’S 59°00’W on Candlemas Island in South Georgia’s Shag Rocks archipelago; Gentoo Penguins also inhabit these waters breeding slightly northward at about 60 degrees latitude.. All told these birds occupy nearly 10% of Earth’s surface!
Penguins form monogamous pairs for each breeding season. Although sexual dimorphism varies among species, usually males are larger than females and have larger bills. For example adult male emperor penguins weigh about double that of an adult female—an average of 35 kg versus 17–20 kg respectively—though once mature adults they tend be similar sizes with only slight weight differences remaining between them. Breeding seasons vary depending upon location but generally coincide with times when food availability is greatest: spring/summer in temperate zones and autumn/winter nearer the poles when daylight hours are longest so chicks can be fed more frequently before fledging..
During courtship displays or “ecstatic dances” may be performed involving various kinds of ritualistic movements often combined with song like calls unique to each individual.(see video below) These behaviors serve both to attract mates as well as strengthen pair bonds already formed between them.. After copulation a single white egg weighing about 145 g or 5 ounces is laid usually onto bare rock or earth though sometimes into a nest lined with pebbles feathers grasses or seaweed if available.(see photo below left.) Both parents incubate eggs which hatch after approximately 35 days into altricial downy chicks unable to thermoregulate effectively or feed themselves.. For several weeks following hatching adults take turns brooding chicks keeping them warm beneath their brood pouches while continuing to hunt for food returning periodically every few days bringing back small amounts regurgitated semi-digested seafood from which young must learn what is edible since they cannot digest it themselves yet.. Chicks fledge anywhere from 6 weeks old(Adelie Penguin,)to 12 weeks old(Emperor Penguin.) Though able fly short distances by this time young still rely heavily upon parents for food until around 16 months old when finally independent.(photo right – King Penguin chick being fed by parents ) At sea most eat small shrimp like krill squid fish crustaceans zooplankton etc.; those that frequent coastal areas additionally dine upon marine invertebrates such as crabs mussels etc.; while land based varieties supplement their diet w/vegetables & insects if available during nesting season ashore.(photo below – Magellanic Penguins eating sardines ) Feeding behavior & preferred foods vary somewhat among different species but all share certain similarities such as use of “tobogganing”(sliding belly first across ice & snow using wings & feet for propulsion,) porpoising(swimming low through water using rapid up& down motions of entire body propelled by webbed feet acting together like fins,) diving(descending rapidly beneath waves pursuing prey then resurfacing rapidly often spending less than 60 seconds underwater,) cawing(vocalizing above water level,) wing flapping(beating wings rapidly above water level either while stationary suspended vertically over water prior standing upright on land/icebergs/rocks etc.,) bowing(& occasionally touching bill tips together w/partner during social interactions especially greeting behaviors known collectively as “allopreening”,)”head nodding”,”preening”,”scratching”,& “bill clacking”. Some interesting feeding adaptations include possession by certain deep sea dwelling types eider ducks auks murrelets guillemots shearwaters albatrosses storm petrels diving petrels etc.,of specially designed air sacs located along sides of neck connected internally via lungs allowing these birds stay submerged longer periods without having rise surface oxygenate lungs thereby avoiding detection predators waiting ambush near shorelines & interfaces where land meets open ocean waters far enough away escape should danger arise unexpectedly.(photo below left – Gentoo Penguins tobogganing ) Other interesting facts related diet include observed tendency giant petrels skuas jaegers kleptoparasitic gulls terns shags cormorants skimmers sandpipers plovers oystercatchers stilts avocets plovers lapwings sandpipers turnstones godwits curlews whimbrels phalaropes auks sandgrouses cranes ibises spoonbills flamingos pelicans herons egrets ibises bitterns storks vultures hawks eagles owls harriers falcons kestrels etc.,steal unguarded nests eggs kill young helpless chicks leaving adults no choice desert mate search another suitable location restart process anew elsewhere hoping avoid same fate next time around.(photo below right – Emperor Penguins dive bombing ) Photo Gallery – https://www.flickr