Emperor Penguin: Life on Antarctic Ice

Aptenodytes forsteri, the Emperor Penguin, is the largest living penguin and a species found only in Antarctica. Its annual cycle is closely tied to sea ice, the Southern Ocean and one of the harshest breeding seasons faced by any bird.

Built for the Antarctic

Emperor Penguins have dense plumage, a streamlined body and a thick layer of insulation that helps conserve heat. On land they stand upright and move with the familiar penguin gait, but in the ocean their body shape becomes an efficient swimming form powered by strong, flipper-like wings.

Breeding through winter

Emperor Penguins are unusual because they breed during the Antarctic winter. After the female lays a single egg, the male balances it on his feet beneath a warm fold of skin called the brood pouch. The female returns to sea to feed while the male remains with the egg through the coldest part of the season.

Why penguins huddle

Large groups of males gather closely during winter. By huddling and gradually changing position within the group, individuals reduce exposure to wind and share the warmer interior of the huddle. It is a striking example of behaviour helping an animal survive extreme conditions.

Life beneath the ice

At sea, Emperor Penguins feed on fish, squid and krill. They are powerful divers and can travel far below the surface while searching for food. Their dependence on both open water and stable seasonal sea ice connects their lives to two very different parts of the Antarctic environment.

From the field guide to Aves & Atlas

The Emperor Penguin’s upright posture and clean black-and-white silhouette are naturally suited to field-guide illustration. Explore the Emperor Penguin T-Shirt, browse the Birds collection, or explore more ocean species in Marine Life.