The penguins are flightless birds that have adapted their bodies to diving. The old wings are now used as fins. Their body has adapted to living in very cold regions and they have developed different mechanisms to maintain body heat.
There are currently 18 species of penguins. Fossil records exist for at least ten other species of penguins that lived on land. Of the 18 current species, 13 of them are threatened or in danger of extinction.
Most penguins are distributed in the southern hemisphere, except for the Galapagos penguin.
In this AnimalWised article you will learn the complete list of penguin types in the world. If you want to know more about penguins, don't hesitate to read Where the Penguins Live and The Penguin Feeding.
Emperor penguin
The emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest of the penguins, it can reach a height of 120 cm and weigh between 20-45kg.
Every year, they make a long journey to reproduce. The female lays a single egg that is cared for by the pair. They take turns to go out to feed. They do not make a nest, they incubate the egg keeping it hidden between their legs.
Emperor penguins use the calls nurseries to protect their young. The chicks gather in large groups, sometimes several hundred, to keep each other warm and protect themselves while their parents head out to sea to feed.
Once they return, they will recognize their child and the child its parents thanks to the vocalizations they emit.
King Penguin
The king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the second largest penguin on the planet, it can measure 100 cm and weigh 16 kg. It bears many similarities to the emperor penguin but with a smaller size.
It nests in Chile, islands of South America and Africa.
The female only lays one egg and the care is shared by the pair. The choice of mate is based on the vividness of the coloration of the coat which is a reflection of the he alth of the individual.
The upper part of the chest is orange-yellow, as is the ear area.
Adélie penguin
The Adélie or white-eyed penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is a medium-sized penguin that reaches 60-70 cm and can weigh 4 kg. It is characterized by the fact that its eye has a white ring around it. The base of the beak is hidden by black feathers.
Nests in colonies on the Antarctic continent and usually lays 2 eggs.
Chinstrap Penguin
The Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) can reach 75 cm. It inhabits and nests on islands near Antarctica
He has a black line under his chin that gives him his name. This horizontal line and the black "helmet" on its head make it easily distinguishable from other similar species.
They usually lay 2 eggs and build circular nests with stones. Then they raise their chicks in turns and later in the nursery.
Gentoo Penguin
El Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), also known as the gentoo or gentoo penguin, nests on Peterman Island, Falkland Islands and near Antarctica.
They measure approximately 85-90 cm and can weigh up to 8 kg. They are characterized by having a white spot in the eye that extends backwards. It contrasts with the rest of the head and back, which are completely black. They are the fastest penguins under water.
Its tail is a bit different from other species, it has long black feathers that can help it swim better.
They build nests with small stones. These pebbles are given by the males to the females to win their favors. They then lay 2 fairly sized eggs and incubate them together. 30 days after hatching, the chicks will go to the nursery and after 100 days they will go into the sea.
Galapagos Penguin
The Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is an endemic species of the Galapagos Islands. It is the only species that lives in the northern hemisphere.
It is a small penguin of 35-40 cm that likes warm waters. It does not nest in colonies like other penguins, but they group in several pairs to nest. They usually lay 2 eggs.
Their number has been reduced in recent decades and it is believed that there are approximately 2000 individuals left.
Humboldt penguin
The Humboldt or Peruvian penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is so named because it is endemic to the Humboldt Current. It nests on the coasts of South America, from Peru to Chile. He is negatively affected by the phenomenon of the child.
This penguin measures between 50-70 cm and can weigh 5 kg. They usually lay 2 eggs of different sizes, one of which does not usually thrive.
Like the chinstrap penguin, they have a line on the upper part of their chest, but it is wider and more curved.
African Penguin
The African or Spectacled Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is the only species that lives on the African continent, on the coasts of the extreme south. It is a small penguin that likes warm waters.
They are also known as striped penguins because of the black line across their chest. They have a pink area of skin over their eyes that helps them dissipate solar radiation.
These penguins can't stand very low temperatures but prefer warm environments.
Magellanic Penguin
The Magellanic or Patagonian penguin (Spheniscus magallanicus) is present in Chile, Argentina and the Malvinas Islands.
They have an average size of 40-45 cm and weigh about 3 kg. To differentiate it from other similar penguins, you have to look at the stripes on its chest. The Magellanic penguin has two black stripes on its white chest, as can be seen in the image. The penguins we've seen so far only have one.
Rockhopper Penguin
The rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) is the smallest of the crested penguins. They inhabit islands near Antarctica.
They measure approximately 55 cm and weigh up to 3.5 kg. Its black head has bushy eyebrows with yellow and black feathers. His eyes are red.
These penguins, like other larger ones, nest and breed in colonies.
Macaroni Penguin
The macaroni or yellow-fronted penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) has a large number of specimens that live in a wide region between America South and Africa, although it is currently considered vulnerable due to contamination.
It has a crest similar to the rockhopper penguin but with an orange coloration. They weigh about 5 kg and measure 60-70 cm.
Normally they lay 2 eggs, one of which is discarded.
Royal Penguin
The royal or white-faced penguin (Eudyptes schlegeli) inhabits mainly Macquarie Island, near Antarctica.
It is very similar to the macaroni penguin but its face is white. They also have a yellow-orange crest. They measure about 70 cm and males can weigh up to 4.5 kg, females are a little smaller.
They lay 2 eggs that incubate for 30-40 days. Many times only one prospers.
Fiordland Penguin
The Fiordland or thick-billed penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) is native to New Zealand. Their name is due to the fact that they breed on the coast of Fiordland and nearby islands. In the Maori language it is known as tawaki.
This little penguin can be confused with the previous species. He has yellow eyebrows on a black face. Its beak is slightly wider than that of other penguins and is orange in color.
Stiff-crested penguin
The Sclater's Penguin(Eudyptes sclateri) inhabits islands off the coast of New Zealand. It is in danger of extinction.
They measure 50-70 cm and weigh between 2.5-6 kg. Males are slightly larger than females. This penguin has a very vivid coloration. Its color is black on the back and white on the belly. On the head it has 2 bright yellow crests. The beak is surrounded by a very fine white line.
Image fromanimalia.com:
Snares Penguin
The Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus) breeds on Snares Island, New Zealand.
This penguin measures 50-70 cm and weighs up to 4 kg. It has two yellow plumes and red eyes. It is very similar to the Fiordland penguin, the difference being that it has a region of pink skin at the base of its beak.
The female usually lays 2 eggs which she incubates for 35-37 days
Yellow-Eyed Penguin
The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is native to southeastern New Zealand.
It is a medium-sized penguin, measuring between 60-70 cm and weighing up to 8 kg.
They are characterized by having yellow eyes from which a yellowish line emerges towards the back of their head. The whole head has a slightly yellow coloration as you can see in the image.
They lay 1 or 2 eggs and can be quite aggressive during the reproductive period.
Little Blue Penguin
The Little Blue Penguin or Dwarf Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the smallest penguin in the world. It inhabits the coasts of New Zealand, Australia, Chathan Islands and Tasmania.
They are 40 cm tall and weigh 1 kilogram. They are characterized in addition to their size, by their coloration. The dorsal part is of blue tones. The belly is white.
They usually go out to sea in small groups to defend themselves against predators. They lay 2 eggs and live in colonies where each pair forms a nest.
White-winged Pygmy Penguin
The White-winged Pygmy Penguin (Eudyptula albosignata) is, together with the Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin species in the world. They measure 30 cm and can weigh up to 1.5 kg. Due to its size and similarities with the blue penguin, many consider this penguin a subspecies of the previous one.
They live in regions of New Zealand and are in danger of extinction. Its population is much lower than that of blue penguin specimens. It is estimated that there are 3000 pairs.
They differ mainly in their coloration. The white-winged dwarf penguin has a darker coloration, black or grayish, on its dorsal part. They have a white line on their fins that can be clearly seen in the image.
