Emperor Penguin and chick.
Photo: E J Woehler © E J Woehler
Emperor Penguin
Scientific name: Aptenodytes forsteri
Family: Spheniscidae
Order: Sphenisciformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Sea birds
What does it look like?
Description
The Emperor Penguin is the largest of the penguins and is a robust bird with a black head and large yellow-white patches on the sides of its neck. It has a dark brown iris, and is distinguishable by a pink stripe on its lower mandible. Male and female Emperor Penguins are similar in appearance, and juvenile penguins are similar to the adults, but duller.
Similar species
The more brightly coloured King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus, is the only species with which the Emperor Penguin may be confused. The ranges of these species may overlap off the southern tip of South America.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Distribution of the Emperor Penguin is within the limits of the pack-ice within the Antarctic Zone. There are no confirmed records of the Emperor Penguin from Australia, however it is known to be an accidental visitor to New Zealand and South America.
Habitat
The Emperor Penguin is a marine species, found in the pack-ice of the Antarctic Zone.
Seasonal movements
The Emperor Penguin is considered to be dispersive, although not much is known about the movements of this species.
What does it do?
Feeding
The diet of the Emperor Penguin varies with locality. The Emperor Penguin is known to feed on nototheniid fish, euphausiid crustaceans (krill) and small cephalopods (squid, octopus).
Breeding
The Emperor Penguin breeds during winter in colonies which are usually formed on sea-ice. This species is seasonally monogamous, and pair-bonds are maintained from formation in March until feeding of the chick finishes in December. The Emperor Penguin uses no nest or materials, the egg being held and incubated on the adults' feet. Incubation is by the male Emperor Penguin alone, and both parents brood and feed the young.
Living with us
Living with humans
The distribution of the Emperor Penguin, being within the pack-ice of the Antarctic Zone, currently allows little opportunity for human interaction with this species. However, it leaves them particularly vulnerable to human-induced climate change.
References
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds.) 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol 1. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.