# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Are you wrapped up warm? We sure hope so - because Nat Geo Kids is off to the icy Antarctic to catch up with our penguin pals! Check out our top ten facts about emperor penguins...
Emperor penguin facts

1. Emperor penguins are truly beautiful birds. Adults have a white stomach and a black head, back, tail and wings. They also have yellowy-gold markings on the side of their head and neck.

2. Emperor penguins are the largest of all the different kinds of penguin. On average they measure 115cm tall - about the height of the average six year old.

(AD)

3. Emperor penguins spend their entire lives in Antarctica - the Earth's southernmost continent - where temperatures can drop to as low as -60°C. Brrrr.

4. To survive in such low temperatures, these brilliant birds have special adaptations - they have large stores of insulating body fat and several layers of scale-like feathers that protect them from icy winds. They also huddle close together in large groups to keep themselves, and each other, warm.

5. Around April every year (the start of the Antarctic winter) emperor penguins meet to breed on the thick Antarctic ice. By the time the female lays her egg (usually around June), she"s worked up a big appetite! She passes the egg to the male before journeying up to 80km to the open ocean where she can feed her hungry tummy on fish, squid and krill.

6. During this time, the males are in charge of keeping the egg safe and warm in the breeding ground. They do this by balancing the egg on their feet and covering it with feathered skin, called a ' brood pouch'. It takes about two months for the eggs to hatch.

7. The females return in July, bringing with them food in their bellies which they regurgitate (or throw up) for the chicks to eat. The females now take over babysitting duty, leaving the males to head to the ocean for their own fishing session.

8. As the youngsters grow, the parents leave them in groups, called ' crèches ', whilst they head to the ocean to fish. Come December, the warmer temperatures break up the ice that the penguins occupy, bringing open waters closer to the nesting site. By this time, the chicks are old enough to swim and fish, and take to the ocean themselves!
Without the warmth of the parents' brood pouches, emperor penguin chicks would die in just a few minutes in the cold of Antarctica.
9. These birds are super swimmers and impressive divers. They can reach depths of over 500m and stay underwater for up to 22 minutes!

10. Sadly, today emperor penguins are considered near threatened and their populations are expected to decline rapidly in years to come. It"s feared that rising temperatures due to global warming will reduce their breeding ground, and overfishing will mean less food for them to eat. The good news is that by looking after our planet, YOU can help protect these amazing animals. Check out our Five Top Conservation Tips for some environment-saving ideas!

Images ⓒ Bernard Breton, Dreamstime

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 facts about emperor penguins - National Geographic Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ten facts about emperor penguins: learn all about the emperor penguin breeding cycle, where these birds live, what they eat and more...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What type of animal is a Galapagos penguin?

Galapagos penguins are water-loving animals that are found on the Galapagos Islands.

What class of animal does a Galapagos penguin belong to?

This penguin species belongs to the bird class of animals, known as Aves.

How many Galapagos penguins are there in the world?

There are around 1,500 Galapagos penguins left in the world.

Where does a Galapagos penguin live?

They live in the water surrounding the Galapagos Islands.

What is a Galapagos penguin's habitat?

Galapagos Penguins live among the edges of the water, and in small rocky caves that are created by cooled lava. However, they like to spend a lot of their time in the sea. They are the only wildlife species of penguins that live on the equator.

Who do Galapagos penguins live with?

Galapagos penguins live in groups, and the name of their groups depends on their location. A group of Galapagos penguins on land is called a colony, waddle, rookery, or huddle. A group of Galapagos penguins at sea is called a raft.

How long does a Galapagos penguin live?

The Galapagos penguin's lifespan lies between 15-20 years.

How do they reproduce?

As important courtship rituals, these penguins perform adance where the penguin extends its neck upwards and spreads its wings to move them quickly to attract a mate. Galapagos penguins can mate whenever they experience favorable breeding conditions during the year. However, their breeding season regularly arrives twice a year, between April to May and August to September. The female lays one or two eggs which are incubated for 35-40 days.

What is their conservation status?

Galapagos Penguins are classified as Endangered. Their population is less than 2000 on the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Penguin Fun Facts

What do Galapagos penguins look like?

This wildlife species of birds are black and white in color. Their general tone is dark, including their flippers and faces. Furthermore, they have two dark bands that stretch across their white chests. They have a white circling line that bends around their eyes.

How cute are they?

This penguin species is very cute, and these flightless birds look adorable while walking.

How do they communicate?

This penguin species is very loud when they need to speak with one another and they mainly communicate with their voice. Penguins of all species perform visual presentations too. Penguins also use their body language to speak with different penguins.

How big is a Galapagos penguin?

Galapagos penguins are the second smallest penguins found on the Galapagos Islands, their average length is 19 in (48.26 cm).

How fast can a Galapagos penguin fly?

Galapagos penguins can't fly, but they can reach a speed of 15 mph (24 kmph) while they are underwater.

How much does a Galapagos penguin weigh?

A Galapagos penguin's weight is between 5-8 lb (2.5-4.5 kg). They are less heavy than most other species of penguins.

What are their male and female names of the species?

The species name for both male and female Galapagos penguins is S. mendiculus. They do not have specific names for males and females.

What would you call a baby Galapagos penguin?

The babies of Galapagos penguins are called chicks.

What do they eat?

A Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) feeds on pelagic fish such as sardines, anchovies, and mullets.

Are they dangerous?

No, this species of penguins are not dangerous to people, but they can become aggressive to their partners and predators, depending on the circumstance and need.

Would they make a good pet?

They cannot be kept as a pet, as the only suitable habitat for this wildlife species is the Galapagos Islands. Most of the penguin population of this species is seen on Isabela and Fernandina Islands, situated in the western part of the archipelago. You can adopt a Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) from the Galapagos Conservation Trust and this allows you to contribute to the conservation of Galapagos penguins, Galapagos giant tortoises, Galapagos sea lions, hammerhead sharks, and Floreana mockingbirds.

Kidadl Advisory: All pets should only be bought from a reputable source. It is recommended that as a potential pet owner you carry out your own research prior to deciding on your pet of choice. Being a pet owner is very rewarding but it also involves commitment, time and money. Ensure that your pet choice complies with the legislation in your state and/or country. You must never take animals from the wild or disturb their habitat. Please check that the pet you are considering buying is not an endangered species, or listed on the CITES list, and has not been taken from the wild for the pet trade.

Did you know...

One of the best Galapagos penguin facts for kids is that they are social birds, and they like people to move towards them. However, you should not get closer than 118 in (3 m) in distance to these penguins.

This species is not found in any zoo in the whole world!

These penguins are important because they are an important food source to many animals in the ecosystem.

What is unique about the Galapagos penguin?

One of the main differences between Galapagos penguins and other penguins is that they can swim in tropical waters, playing an important role in their ecosystem's balance. Another unique factor is that they have a C-shaped stripe of feathers from their eyes to their chin on both sides of their face. They also have very unique adaptations to their tropical climate. They pant heavily and also lean forward to protect their feet from the sun, which helps them keep cool.

Why are Galapagos penguins endangered?

Galapagos penguins are endangered due to restricted habitats and food sources available on the Galapagos islands. Climate change has also had a large impact on these birds' survival. Natural and man-made disasters, including volcanic eruptions and oil slicks, have caused drastic losses in their population. According to research, it has been estimated that there are less than 600 breeding pairs of Galapagos penguins alive today. In order to help increase their population, they have been provided with nesting sites made of lava rocks for breeding and to help keep their nests, eggs, and chicks safe and cool. The penguin population has also been provided with a sufficient food supply by conservationists.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds, including the brant or the great tit.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Galapagos penguin coloring pages.

‍

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Amaze-wing Facts About The Galapagos Penguin For Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Galapagos penguins are water-loving animals that are found on the Galapagos Islands. This penguin species belongs to the bird class of animals, known as Aves. There are around 1,500 Galapagos penguins left in the world. They live in the water surrounding the Galapagos Islands.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join The Penguins International Community...It's Free!

Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join The Penguins International Community...It's Free!

Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join The Penguins International Community...It's Free!

Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Rockhopper penguin facts for kids allow you to cram relevant and interesting insights about this beautiful bird. Rockhopper penguin is by far the smallest penguin specie. Eudyptes chrysocome is the scientific name of these birds.

Rockhopper Penguin Facts for Kids

1. The weight of the rockhopper penguins is 2.3 kg to 2.7 kg.

2. The females are slightly smaller in size as compared to males.

3. These species are 52 cm long.

4. Rockhoppers are capable to dive 100m deep into the water.

5. These species are believed to be the most aggressive birds amongst all the penguins.

Rockhopper Penguin Distribution Facts for Kids

They are extensively distributed all over the islands including Antarctic Polar Front and Southern part of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Breeding Facts of Rockhopper Penguin

1. As far as the breeding facts are concerned, these species have the same biology as that of other royal or Galapagos penguins.

2. Unlike other penguins, the breeding season of these birds does not last too long.

3. Females lay 2 eggs out of which second egg usually comes up with a chick.

4. The males come back to their colonies in the month of October and November while females return afterwards.

5. After their return to the colonies, they tend to rebuild their nests altogether.

6. While females incubate (keeping warm) eggs, males usually go out in search of food and return after 1 month period. Females go by these days without food.

7. The normal time when the chicks fledge comes in January.

8. The breeding colonies comprise of more than 100,000 nests.

9. Breeding starts from the day when the female lays 2 eggs in 4 days period.

10. The incubation period lasts from 32 - 34 days.

11. The clutch comprise of 2 eggs.

Conservation Status

1. On the negative side, the population of rockhopper penguins has been reported to decline more than 90% in different islands such as Falkland, Antipodes and Campbell Islands. One of the possible causes of this decline is the significant increase in the islands' temperature due to which it becomes difficult for these penguins to hunt out their prey.

2. Increasing global warming is mainly responsible for the added temperature.

3. In the Macquarie Island, a rough estimate of rockhopper's population counts to 100,000 to 500,000 species.

Rockhopper Penguin Diet Facts

1. The prime diet of these birds consists of fish, krill, squid, euphausids, and myctophid fish.

2. During the breeding season; however, the diet turn out to be lesser as against normally.

3. They eat greater quantity of fish in comparison to the royal penguins.

4. These species are the migratory birds; in that they leave islands in the breeding season.

Identification Tips for Rockhopper Penguins

1. When it comes to the size, rockhopper penguins can be easily identified.

2. As against the orange plumes, rockhopper has yellow feather plumes.

3. They can be distinguished through their red eye.

4. They produce sound which is notably different from other species.

5. The chicks of most of the penguins are same in size and color; therefore, not an easy to make a distinction amongst them.

Rockhopper Penguin Habitat Facts

1. These birds mostly build their nests on the rocky slopes and small caves in order to devoid sunlight.

2. They tend to protect eggs by placing them underneath the ground or in the pile of rocks.

3. Normally, initial eggs do not produce chicks and if they do, juveniles die too early.

Species

1. Southern, E. chrysocome chrysocome, (Western Rockhopper Penguin)

2. Eastern, E. chrysocome filholi, (Eastern Rockhopper Penguin)

3. Northern, E. chrysocome moseleyi, rockhoppers. (Southern Rockhopper Penguin)

Southern Rockhopper Penguin

These are one of the smallest species of penguins and belong to the group of Eudyptes Chrysocome. Southern Rockhopper penguins live in the subantarctic islands including Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Amazing Facts of Southern Rockhopper Penguin

1. These species belong to the genus Eudyptes.

2. The length of these birds is 45 - 58 cm (18 - 23 in)

3. The weight is 2 - 3.4 kg (4-4 - 7.5 lb).

4. The maximum weight of these species is 5 kg (11 lb).

5. The southern rockhoppers are basically black and white.

6. The average lifespan of southern rockhopper penguin is 10 - 20 years.

7. The estimated population of these birds is about 7.3 million around the globe.

Where do Southern Rockhopper Penguins live?

1. Southern rockhoppers are globally distributed with a population of more than 1,000,000 breeding pairs.

2. They usually breed on Falkland Islands together with Chile and Argentine Islands.

3. Other Islands include Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Antipodes, Diego Ramirez Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Islands, Campbell Islands, and Auckland Islands.

Southern Penguin Diet Facts

The primary feed of these birds include lantern fish, krill, squid, cuttlefish, octopus, crustaceans and mollusks.

Rockhopper Penguin Facts Videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rockhopper Penguin Facts for Kids - Rockhopper Penguin Habitat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Rockhopper penguin facts for kids allow you to cram relevant and interesting insights about this beautiful bird. Rockhopper penguin is by far the smallest penguin specie. Eudyptes chrysocome is the scientific name of these birds. The weight of the rockhopper penguins is 2.3 kg to 2.7 kg.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join The Penguins International Community...It's Free!

Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Magellanic Penguins | Penguins International

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join The Penguins International Community...It's Free!

Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joining our community of scientists, volunteers, and people, like yourself, means we'll send you fun, educational, and promotional content right to your inbox. Guaranteed to make you giggle, marvel, and matter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The African penguin is a small bird that lives in southern Africa. It is also known as the black-footed penguin or Cape penguin. It is an endangered bird species. The...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
African Penguins are medium sized penguins and they reach up to 70 cm/27 inches in height and weigh up to 3.5 kg.

As you can see clearly in my photo adult penguins have black backs, a white face and a black band across the breast. Young birds have a blue-grey back, no white face and no black band across the breast and occasionally little black spots on the white belly as you can see on the photo above.

This is Boulders Beach near Cape Town, where you can watch theses cute creatures waddle to and fro. It is a lot of fun to watch them as they walk very clumsily, but they are very skillful swimmers.

The African Penguin: Fast Facts

* Common name: jackass penguin, as the penguins'call sounds similar to a braying donkey or black-footed penguin

* Latin name: Spheniscus demersus which derives its name from spen: greek "wedge" and refers to their wedge-like shape when swimming. demersus: latin plunging

They are a threatened species, actually classified as vulnerable, as only 10% of their original population still exist. Now the worldwide population consists of only 179,000 of the aquatic birds.

These penguins are mainly feeding on sardines/pilchards, anchovies, squid, crustaceans. When they are hunting, they can reach speed up to 20km/h and often dive up to 30m deep.

Life Cycle

African Penguins live up to 20 years. They start breeding when they are around 4 years of age. These penguins are monogamous, the penguin pair stays together usually for many years and often move back to their old nesting sites too.

The penguins nest throughout the year, the peak breeding season in South Africa is from March to May. They are nesting in burrows or under boulders or bushes.

The main predators of the little penguins are feral cats, mongoose and genets, rarely even leopards. Marine animals preying on these flightless birds are Cape fur seals, which we witnessed from the beach too, and occasionally sharks and whales further at sea.

The female lays usually two eggs. 40% of the population's eggs are robbed and eaten by kelp gulls, ibises. The incubation period is about 40 days, when the parents both brood the eggs. When the little penguins hatch they stay for about 15 days with their parents as they cannot yet control their body temperature. At that time they are very vulnerable to land living predators.

When the little chicks are 2-4 months old, they fledge. They loose their fluff and get their blue-grey feathers. Then they leave the parents and after 12 to 22 months usually come back to their natal colony. There they will moult to get their adult feathers.

The annual moulting season in Boulders is from November until February. Then you will see the pitty state of these otherwise pretty birds. They shed their feathers and look quite naked at some parts. The moult takes around 20 days. During this time they often loose half of their weight too. Luckily they will have stored some extra reserves of food during the prior months. The moulting penguins can not go to sea until the new feathers have come out fully, as the air insulation helps the penguins to retain their temperature.

Picture credits: own images and Shutterstock and great penguin images by Niall Dunne, Neil Bradfield and Ecoprint

Main Resources for this page:

www.ewt.org.za and www.sanccob.co.za, where you will find valuable information on penguins.
Return from African Penguin to South Africa Facts for Kids Go back to KidsWorldTravelGuide Homepage

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
African Penguin Information for Kids | Penguins | Boulders Beach

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
African Penguins are medium sized penguins and they reach up to 70 cm/27 inches in height and weigh up to 3.5 kg. As you can see clearly in my photo adult penguins have black backs, a white face and a black band across the breast.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Not all penguins live where it's cold-African penguins live at the southern tip of Africa. Like other penguins, African penguins spend most of the day feeding in the ocean, and that helps keep them cool. Their land habitat can get quite warm, but bare skin on their legs and around their eyes helps them stay cool.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Galapagos penguin facts for kids help us to learn rare insights about Galapagos penguins that are not common. These penguins belong to the family of Spheniscus Mendiculus and are common in Galapagos Islands. This is the only specie that is living in the north of equator and is capable to bear extreme cool temperatures.

The survey conducted in 2004 about the Galapagos' population which revealed that there are around 1,500 birds left and is, therefore, listed as endangered species. The population also faced sudden decline of about 70% back in 1980; however, it is said that these figures are becoming better with the passage of time. Amongst all the penguin species, Galapagos penguins are rarest penguin species.

Galapagos Penguin Facts For Kids

1. The length of Galapagos penguins is 49 cm (19 in).

2. These penguins weigh around 2-5 kg (5-5 lb).

3. The color of the head is black with a white border.

4. They have blackish grey and white undersides together with two black lineages that run across its stomach.

5. The adults are considerably different from their chicks.

6. The males are greater in size in comparison to the females.

7. The Galapagos Penguin is the third smallest species of penguin.

8. These penguins are considered to be endangered species. A significant decline in the population is observed according to the survey conducted in 2004 by the research station.

9. There are no more than 1,000 breeding pairs all around the world.

10. The females lay eggs after every 4 days of interval.

11. The breeding starts when the temperature of the water surface falls below 24oC for the reason that under this temperature, foodstuff becomes available abundantly.

12. The average lifespan of Galapagos penguins is 10 - 12 years. However, they can live up to 20 years.

13. These are social and they like humans to approach them but no less than 3 meters of a distance.

Galapagos Penguin Distribution Facts

Apart from other islands, Isabela and Fernandina Islands are the two most common places where these species are seen in large colonies. Almost 90% of Galapagos penguins live in these Islands. Besides, they also live in Santa Cruz, Floreana, Santiago, and Bartolome.

What do Galapagos Penguins Eat?

They eat small schooling fish, mainly mullet, sardines, and sometimes crustaceans.

Facts about Galapagos Penguin Behavior

1. These birds tend to stay near water in the daylight; however, when the night falls they come out to the land due to the extreme cold weather.

2. These penguins avoid sun rays and in daylight, they flap their wings to cover their feet for the reason that they can lose heat from their feet.

3. In order to hide eggs from the sunlight, Galapagos penguins place them under the steep rocks.

Galapagos Penguin Breeding Facts

1. The nesting period lasts from May to January.

2. The nests are built near water shore i.e. 50 m (160 feet).

3. They are monogamous birds in that they choose their mates for a lifetime.

4. The period of incubation lasts for 38 to 40 days.

5. Both males and females are responsible for the incubation process.

6. The chicks come out after 30 days of their birth.

7. After 60 - 65 days chicks can take care of themselves.

Predators

1. Since Galapagos Penguins are relatively smaller, they have predators like eagles, hawks, owls and snakes.

2. Other predators include sharks, seals, and sea lions.

Galapagos Penguins Facts Videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Galapagos Penguin Facts For Kids - Galapagos Penguin Diet and Behavior

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Galapagos penguin facts for kids help us to learn rare insights about Galapagos penguins that are not common. These penguins belong to the family of Spheniscus Mendiculus and are common in Galapagos Islands. This is the only specie that is living in the north of equator and is capable to bear extreme cool temperatures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This article unleashes some of the handy magellanic penguin facts. The Magellanic Penguin belongs to the family of Spheniscus magellanicus and is native to South America and Brazil. These types of penguins largely breed in the Argentine, Chile, Rio de Janeiro, and Falkland Islands apart from the South America. These medium sized flightless birds are considered to be the first cousins of African, Galapagos, and Humboldt Penguins.

Magellanic Penguin Facts

These species are 61 - 76 cm (24 - 30 inches) long.

Magellanic penguins weigh around 2.7 - 6.5 kg (5.9 - 14.3 lbs).

Females are slightly shorter as compared to the males.

They have almost black and white plumage.

The lifespan is about 25 years in the wild whereas under captivity they can live up to 30 years.

What Do Magellanic Penguins Eat?

These birds primarily feed on sardines, squid crustaceans, krill, and cuttlefish.

Magellanic Penguin Facts about its Breeding

They are commonly found in large gatherings. These penguins never hunt in isolation. Large flocks are usually found in the Argentine coasts, Falkland Islands, and southern Chile.

They usually build nests in burrows and tree cavities.

The females usually lay 2 - 3 eggs.

The incubation (keeping warm) lasts for 39 - 42 days.

Both parents share the responsibility of the incubating eggs and the shifts change after every 10 - 15 days.

The young penguins are remain with their parents for about first 30 days.

They are monogamous birds and they make partners for a year or so.

Threats to Magellanic Penguins

Magellanic penguin facts about its threat suggest that they are mainly threatened by humans spilling oil into water since they live on the coastal lines. An estimate tells us that more than 20,000 of magellanic penguins have been killed. However, zoo personnel from all over the world took some of the magellanic penguin species and begin to look after them. Sea lions and giant petrels are the most common predators of these kinds of penguins.

They had to swim 25 miles (40 km) away from their original place to ensure their safety. Because of this migratory movement, the females and chicks have suffered dramatically.

Magellanic Penguin Facts - Videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Magellanic Penguin Facts - Magellanic Penguins Habitat & Diet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This article unleashes some of the handy magellanic penguin facts. The Magellanic Penguin belongs to the family of Spheniscus magellanicus and is native to South America and Brazil. These types of penguins largely breed in the Argentine, Chile, Rio de Janeiro, and Falkland Islands apart from the South America.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What type of animal is an emperor penguin?

The emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)is a large flightless bird that belongs to the family Spheniscidae. They are one of two species of penguins that come under the genus Aptenodytes. They are known as 'great penguins'.

What class of animal does an emperor penguin belong to?

Emperor penguins belong to the class Aves (birds) and the order Sphenisciformes. The king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the only other existing species of penguin that belongs to the same genus. A fossil find helped to identify the Ridgen's penguin (Aptenodytes ridgeni), an extinct species belonging to the Aptenodytes genus.

How many emperor penguins are there in the world?

The exact number of emperor penguins is unknown. According to some satellite surveys, an estimate of 54 colonies containing approximately 256,500 breeding pairs was counted for these Antarctic birds. The numbers of juveniles, sub-adults, and non-breeders are unknown. Although they are listed as Near Threatened, their population trend is shown to be stable.

Where does an emperor penguin live?

Emperor penguins spend their entire lives on the Antarctic ice coast and on ice shelves in the South Pole (66°-77° latitude). Some emperor penguins take refuge in the higher latitude Weddell Sea and the Ross Sea. They are marine, oceanic birds. The main colonies are found on the Dion Islands, the Antarctic peninsula, Taylor Glacier-Victoria Land, and Amundsen Bay. Some vagrants were also found at Heard Island, South Georgia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Chile, far from their natural habitat.

What is an emperor penguin's habitat?

Emperor penguins inhabit stable ice shelves near the coast and few kilometers offshore. They live on ice cliffs, icebergs, and fast ice. They choose places that provide protection from the wind. Emperor penguins live in the north of the Antarctic Circle. Major breeding colonies of emperor penguins are found at Coulman Island in Victoria Land, Cape Washington, Cape Colbeck, Halley Bay, and Dibble Glacier. These colonies occasionally break into suburbs, and some even disappear. The Cape Crozier colony in the Ross Sea almost disappeared into extinction due to shifts of the ice shelf.

Who do emperor penguins live with?

Emperor penguins, like most penguins, are social birds. They nest, forage and dive in groups and most of their activities are well-coordinated. Emperor penguins form large breeding colonies consisting of up to several thousand penguins. Within the colonies, there will be families of breeding pairs and their offspring.

How long does an emperor penguin live?

An emperor penguin has an average lifespan of 20 years in the wild. Some emperor penguins can also live up to 50 years.

How do they reproduce?

Emperor penguins mature at the age of three and start breeding at the age of four to six. Emperor penguins are the only species in the world that starts breeding during the Antarctic winter (March-April) at a low temperature of −40 F (-40 C). Emperor penguins do not mate for life, but they only take a single mate for each breeding season. Mature penguins trek inland to the nesting areas and form large breeding colonies. They start their trek when the Antarctic day lengths are increased, indicating the onset of their breeding season.

Emperor penguins display elaborate courtship behavior. The mates are carefully selected based on this display. The male emperor penguin places its head on its chest, inhales, and gives a two-second-long courtship call. Then they move around the colony and repeat the call until they find a mate. The male and female stand face to face and mirror each other's posture for some time. After selection, the female follows the male, and the couple waddle around the colony together. Before mating, they bow deeply at each other.

Female penguins lay one single egg each breeding season. They lay an egg in May or early June. The egg is thick-shelled, pear-shaped, and greenish-white in color. The adult male penguin takes care of the egg as soon as it is laid, while the mother goes back to the sea to forage for two months. Unfortunately, if the egg breaks mid-transfer, their relationship ends, and they both return to the sea ready to join the colony the next year. Male penguins incubate the egg with a featherless patch called a brood pouch, throughout the harsh Antarctic winter for 70-75 days until it hatches.

The newly hatched chicks have very thin feathers and are dependent on the adults for food and warmth. Male emperor penguins feed their chicks with a curd-like gland secretion known as crop milk for five to seven days and then the mother penguin returns with food from the sea to feed their chicks. The young chicks spend their guard phase balancing on their parents' feet. Chicks form a crèche 45 days after hatching. They huddle together for warmth and protection. In early November, the chicks start molting to become juveniles.

What is their conservation status?

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020, classifies the conservation status of emperor penguins as a Near Threatened species. Their population is declining due to various threats like human impacts and intrusion, habitat loss, fragmentation due to extreme weather, and climate change due to global warming.

Emperor Penguin Fun Facts

What do emperor penguins look like?

Emperor penguins have long streamlined bodies with wings that are modified into flippers. They have long black beaks with a thin streak of orange on their lower beak. Their body is predominantly black and white. The back, head, chin, throat, and the dorsal side of their wings are black. The undersides are completely white and they have patches of orange and yellow near their ear area and shoulders. The yellow fades and merges with white near the top of their chest. They also have small patches on their head and breasts.

Newly hatched emperor penguin chicks look very different from mature penguins. They have pale gray skin with very few feathers. After a few weeks, they start growing gray feathers with a black crown area, white cheeks, and a white chin. After a few months, they start molting their feathers and grow juvenile grayish-blue feathers. As they grow older, they develop black and white feathers.

How cute are they?

Emperor penguins are extremely cute birds. Their waddle is the most adorable sight. Emperor penguin chicks are very fluffy looking too and it is a spectacle to see their extremely huge colonies during the breeding season.

How do they communicate?

Emperor penguins are a very vocal species of penguins. They depend on their vocal calls for finding their mate, nest, and chick. They do not have a particular spot for their nest, so the vocal calls help them identify their mate when they return from the sea after foraging. The courtship behavior of male emperor penguins also includes a high pitch call to attract a female. They have a wide range of calls and these differ from individual to individual. Chicks whistle for food and contact.

How big is an emperor penguin?

The average emperor penguin height ranges between 43-47 in (109.2-119.4 cm). They are the tallest penguins on the planet. They grow three times the size of a little blue penguin (the smallest penguin).

How fast can an emperor penguin fly?

An emperor penguin cannot fly even though it has wings. The wingspan of an emperor penguin is 29.9-35 in (76-89 cm).

How much does an emperor penguin weigh?

The weight of adult emperor penguins varies widely during the breeding season. They gain and lose many pounds. A total of 30 % of a penguin's weight is body fat and the average weight of an adult emperor penguin is 50-100 lb (22.7-45.4 kg). They are almost 10 times heavier than the Galapagos penguin.

What are their male and female names of the species?

A male emperor penguin is a 'cock' and a female is a 'hen'.

What would you call a baby emperor penguin?

A baby emperor penguin is called a 'chick' or 'hatchling'.

What do they eat?

Emperor penguins are carnivorous and prey on fish, krill, and occasionally on squids. They also feed on crustaceans and cephalopods. They have a rough, spiky tongue that helps them catch their prey. Their main diet is composed of the Antarctic silverfish. They feed in open waters and under the sea ice.

Are they dangerous?

Emperor penguins are not very dangerous, but if humans intrude on their nests, they will nip and bite.

Would they make a good pet?

It is illegal to keep wild exotic bird species like emperor penguins as a pet. Emperor penguins are adapted to the freezing conditions of the Antarctic, so they will not be able to survive in captivity. They need ice patches to live and breed on and they live best with their large colonies. Very few zoos have captive emperor penguins on display for this reason.

Kidadl Advisory: All pets should only be bought from a reputable source. It is recommended that as a potential pet owner you carry out your own research prior to deciding on your pet of choice. Being a pet owner is very rewarding but it also involves commitment, time and money. Ensure that your pet choice complies with the legislation in your state and/or country. You must never take animals from the wild or disturb their habitat. Please check that the pet you are considering buying is not an endangered species, or listed on the CITES list, and has not been taken from the wild for the pet trade.

Did you know...

Emperor penguin colonies are so huge that they can be counted from space using satellite technology!

Emperor penguins adapt to the freezing cold with two layers of feathers, a good reserve of body fat, and by huddling together. Their small long beaks and thin flippers prevent heat loss.

Non-mating females or females that have lost their chick, try to steal or adopt abandoned chicks of this species of penguin.

The Genus name for the emperor penguin is Aptenodytes, which means'without-wings-diver'.

What is the emperor penguin known for?

The emperor penguin is known for its large emperor penguin size. They are the world's tallest and heaviest penguin species.

How to draw an emperor penguin?

After reading all of these emperor penguin facts for kids, you may want to try drawing an emperor penguin. Here's how:

Draw an inverted U for the head. Then draw a long curved line from one end of the U and draw a side curve from the other end of U that joins at the bottom. Next, draw the belly and flippers, then add an eye and a beak. Finally, draw two feet. Now color your emperor penguin black, white, orange, and yellow before adding an orange streak to the black beak.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our royal penguin facts and yellow-eyed penguin facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Emperor Penguin coloring pages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
15 Amaze-wing Facts About The Emperor Penguin For Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)is a large flightless bird that belongs to the family Spheniscidae. They are one of two species of penguins that come under the genus Aptenodytes. They are known as 'great penguins'. Emperor penguins belong to the class Aves (birds) and the order Sphenisciformes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What type of animal is a little blue penguin?

The little penguin(Eudyptula minor) is a seabird. Fairy penguin and little blue penguin are the other names of the little penguins. Little penguins are primarily found in Australia and New Zealand.

What class of animal does a little blue penguin belong to?

The little penguin belongs to the class of Aves of the Spheniscidae family and the genus of Eudyptula.

How many little blue penguin are there in the world?

The little penguin species can easily be spotted in New Zealand and Australia, and according to a statistic of 2011, the population of the little penguins was between 350,000-600,000. But the population of the little penguins has been declining for a few decades in New Zealand. It is believed that the population of little penguins would not be more than 1,000,000 as of now. The main reason for their decline is human interference and habitat loss.

Where does a little blue penguin live?

The little penguin(Eudyptula minor) can easily be found on the coastline of Australia and New Zealand. New South Wales, Jervis Bay Territory, Tasmania, the southern coast of Victoria, and offshore islands in Australia are the primary sites where little penguins are found. In New Zealand, one can spot the penguin on Montunau Island. The species has also been spotted in Chili and South Africa.

What is a little blue penguin's habitat?

Breeding pairs are generally found in the coastal regions with better nesting conditions. They also inhabit scrub forests, savanna. The caves even serve as the habitat of the little penguins.

Who do little blue penguin live with?

Most little penguins are solitary, while some prefer to live in pairs or small groups. The group or raft consists of not more than six little blue penguins. These little blue penguins are nocturnal, and the rafts are generally seen during nights near the nesting areas.

How long does a little blue penguin live?

Little blue penguins live for an average of 6.5 years. Recently, a banded fairy penguin with the age of more than 25 years was spotted.

How do they reproduce?

Little blue penguins are monogamous, which means the breeding pair remains the same. The breeding season differs geographically, but usually, the breeding season occurs from July to December. The male little blue penguins reach sexual maturity after three years and two years for females. After attaining sexual maturity, the little penguins perform several courtship displays to attract each other. The displays mainly involve emitting braying sounds, standing still and heads upright facing the sky. Male little blue penguins perform the courtship displays either alone or in a small colony. Also, the breeding takes place in a loose colony.

After choosing the partner, the female fairy penguins perform the same display, after which they get involved in copulation. The fairy penguins choose ground burrows as their nesting sites. The penguin species also prefer the caves and rock crevices as nesting sites. The incubation period lasts for around 31-40 days, and the female lays about 1-2 eggs in each season. The pairs take care of their offspring or chicks and save them from predators. These penguin chicks weigh around 0.08-0.10 lb (36-47 g). These penguin chicks generally live for more than 60 days with their parents. After the guard period, the chicks weigh around 1.7-2.5 lb (800-1150 g).

What is their conservation status?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the animals in the Least Concern category. Over the years, the populations are declining in New Zealand and a few islands of Australia. The major cause of the decline is human interference, plastic pollution, oil spills, habitat loss, tourism are the major threats to the populations of the species.

Little Blue Penguin Fun Facts

What do little blue penguin look like?

You can see the upper body plumage is blue, the eyes are gray or hazel, while the feathers from chin to belly are white. They also have a dark gray-black sharp beak that grows to 1.1-1.5 in (3-4 cm) long. The beak is primarily used to feed the chicks and while fighting the other penguins and predators. These smart penguins are majorly found on the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand.

How cute are they?

A major source of attraction in New Zealand and Australia, these tiny-sized penguins are the cutest animals. The fascinating thing about these animals is the courtship displays that the males perform in a colony to attract the female penguins. Also, the walk of their chicks would be so delightful to watch and walk on land.

How do they communicate?

Like other species of birds, the little blue penguin uses the same methods of communication such as touch, sense of smell, and many more. Also, each member of the family has a different sound. The sound of the calls could be harsh or light. The birds also use courtship displays to allure each other. They also become quite aggressive to protect their chicks during the arrival of predators.

How big is a little blue penguin?

As the smallest species of penguin, the little blue penguin is 10-11 in (25-27.9 cm) long and 12-13 in (30-33 cm) tall. These penguins are ten times the weight of white-faced stormed petrels, one of the most beautiful seabirds. Emperor penguins are thrice the size of the little blue penguins.

How fast can a little blue penguin swim?

These birds could easily reach the speed of 1.6 mph (2.5 km/h).

How much does a little blue penguin weigh?

These tiny-sized blue penguins weigh around 3-3.3 lb (1.36-1.5 kg) while the weight of their chicks is around 1.7-2.5 lb (800-1150 g) after 50-60 days of birth.

What are the male and female names of the species?

People generally use cock and hen to refer to the male and female penguin respectively. The beaks of the male penguins are generally longer compared to females.

What would you call a baby little blue penguin?

The babies of little blue penguins are called chicks.

What do they eat?

These animals are carnivores and they primarily prey on small fish, anchovies, sea horse, octopuses, cuttlefish or crustaceans.

Are they dangerous?

Generally, the little penguins are not believed to be dangerous or deadly to humans but they could turn violent if someone tries to harm them. These nocturnal animals are quite aggressive to their predators.

Would they make a good pet?

Unlike other birds, penguins would be the most difficult pets. A proper habitat, surroundings need to be maintained before keeping them as pets. But the most concerning thing is the reduction of the population. Over the decades, the population of the species has been decreasing rapidly, and keeping them as pets would not be allowed. Legal permission is required for keeping them as pets.

Kidadl Advisory: All pets should only be bought from a reputable source. It is recommended that as a potential pet owner you carry out your own research prior to deciding on your pet of choice. Being a pet owner is very rewarding but it also involves commitment, time and money. Ensure that your pet choice complies with the legislation in your state and/or country. You must never take animals from the wild or disturb their habitat. Please check that the pet you are considering buying is not an endangered species, or listed on the CITES list, and has not been taken from the wild for the pet trade.

Did you know...

Apart from the names such as the fairy penguin and little blue penguin, the species is also known as korora in the native language.

The Phillip Island of Australia is the largest colony of little penguins, with more than 32,000 breeding pairs.

The Iron Baron oil spill off Tasmania and the Rena oil spill off Tauranga, New Zealand, are the major oil spill events that affected a huge population of the species.

The little blue penguins are seabirds and they do have well-adapted wings. The penguins can not fly but use their flippers while swimming.

How many little blue penguins are left in New Zealand?

For a few decades, the population of the little blue penguins has been declining in New Zealand. According to the figures, more than 60% of the marine population has declined. The numbers would be between 50,000-100,000.

Is the little blue penguin the smallest penguin?

Yes, the little blue penguin is the smallest penguin species, but the species are also the smartest among all. The species are known for walking long distances.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these pileated woodpecker facts and common buzzard facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Little blue penguin coloring pages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Little Blue Penguin: 15 Facts You Won't Believe!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The little penguin(Eudyptula minor) is a seabird. Fairy penguin and little blue penguin are the other names of the little penguins. Little penguins are primarily found in Australia and New Zealand. The little penguin belongs to the class of Aves of the Spheniscidae family and the genus of Eudyptula.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This article will help you learn some of the essential little blue penguin facts for kids also known as the fairy penguin. The little blue penguin, belongs to the family of Spheniscidae, is by far the smallest of all the penguin species. These birds are mostly found in the Southern coastlines of Australia. Johann Forster was the first biologist to discover the little blue penguin in the late 18 th century. Naturalists hold that these penguins believed to exist more than 2 million years ago. Eudyptula Minor is the scientific name of little penguins.

Little Blue Penguin Facts for Kids

1. The average length of these penguins is about 43 cm (17 in), some of which measures around 33 cm (13 in).

2. Unlike other species, these penguins are called by different names such as Fairy Penguins, and Blue Penguins.

3. Subspecies of these birds are not confirmed yet.

4. These penguins weigh around 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds) on average.

5. The color of the head and underside body is blue.

6. The wings are blue in color.

7. It has a grayish black beak.

8. They can swim with the speed of 6 km per hour.

9. The female lays 2 eggs between the months of August and November.

10. The young penguins can fetch a food for themselves after 2 months.

11. They can swim up to 2.5 km/hour (1.6 mph).

12. One an average, these species travel almost 80 km per day.

13. Females as well as the males participate in the incubation process.

14. The breeding lasts from May to June.

15. They have the shortest breeding cycle amongst all the species which lasts only for 50 days.

16. The incubation periods lasts from 33 to 37 days.

Lifespan of Little Blue Penguin

1. The average lifespan of these birds is 6.5 years.

2. Under captivity, little penguins can survive up to 25 years.

Where do Fairy Penguins lives?

1. Apart from the Australian coastlines, these birds also exist on the coastlines of New Zealand.

2. There are more than 20,000 little penguin pairs in the Southern Australia.

3. In some parts of South Africa and Chile, these species have been reported to exist.

4. Rough estimates of the little penguin's population around the world is about 350,000 - 600,000.

5. These birds are not believed to be endangered species.

6. In the Southern coastlines of New Zealand, there is a significant decline in the population of these species i.e. 65% to 70%.

Threats to the Little Blue Penguin

1. There are quite a few number of predators of these birds, some of the which are dogs, foxes, cats, reptiles, raccoons, and stoats.

2. Since the number of predators is increasing, the population of little penguins is facing a sheer reduction within few years.

3. The population has been drastically reducing in the Victoria islands, an estimate tells us that there were more than 5000 species lived initially; however, now the figure has dropped down to just 100 birds.

4. Reports have recently verified that 40% of the little penguins are eaten by seals.

Little Blue Penguin Behavior Facts

1. These birds are very fond of swimming in that they spend most of their daily time under water.

2. They come out to hunt at the daylight.

Diet of the Little Blue Penguin

1. Since they are very small, they tend to hunt tiny insects, fish, and squids.

2. They are customarily deemed to be the inshore feeders.

3. They are capable to dive into the 20 meter deep water and remain underwater for about 1 minute.

Facts about the Reproduction

1. The males turn out to be mature after 3 years.

2. They are the monogamous birds in that they tend to remain with their partners for long periods, especially in breeding seasons.

3. Like other penguins, these species also live in large colonies.

4. The study of little blue penguin facts tells us that they come back to their colonies at dusk.

5. One of the largest gatherings of these birds is found in the fox-free islands in Australia.

Little Blue Penguin Facts Videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Little Blue Penguin Facts for Kids - Fairy Penguin Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This article will help you learn some of the essential little blue penguin facts for kids also known as the fairy penguin. The little blue penguin, belongs to the family of Spheniscidae, is by far the smallest of all the penguin species. These birds are mostly found in the Southern coastlines of Australia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What type of animal is a Magellanic Penguin?

Magellanic Penguins are a species found in the Northern and Southern parts of South America on islands and grasslands. This species are medium-sized penguins that are carnivores and depend on aquatic creatures like squid and cuttlefish for food.

What class of animal does a Magellanic Penguin belong to?

Although penguins of this species have the ability to live on land and underwater, they belong to the class of birds, and their motion of swimming underwater resembles more like flying.

How many Magellanic Penguins are there in the world?

The estimated population of this species of penguins is estimated to be somewhere around 1.5 million. A ten percent decline in the population of Magellanic Penguins has been seen recently in the Falklands. These birds are already on the verge of becoming endangered because of a lot of natural and human reasons.

Where does a Magellanic Penguin live?

Magellanic Penguins live in the ocean and can travel far distances when they migrate or breed. Penguins are generally found in countries like Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland islands, but they migrate to countries like Brazil and Uruguay.

What is a Magellanic Penguin's habitat?

Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are generally animals that live on land as well as underwater. This particular species of penguin depends on aquatic life like squids, cuttlefish, and other fishes for food. The coastal forests, grasslands, islands, and rocky headlands make the perfect Magellanic Penguin habitat.

Who do Magellanic Penguins live with?

This penguin species travels in huge colonies and groups that can be as big as 400,000 in number. Megallanic Penguins are monogamous, which means they return to the same partner every year during their breeding season.

How long does a Magellanic Penguin live?

Penguin (Magellanic, specifically) species are expected to have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years. Most adults live up to 20 years and some may even live for 30 years. Normally, penguins attain sexual maturity at the age of three years, but some females do not breed until they are four years old and a male does not breed till he is five years old.

How do they reproduce?

The reproduction mode is sexual in Magellanic Penguins, where the females breed after four years of age and the males breed after five years of age. They gather in colonies during the breeding season, which is generally from September to late February. The males send out a call, and this is how the female penguins find their mate. Once chosen, they're known as 'breeding pairs'. The female lays two eggs four days apart; the first egg takes 41 days to hatch, whereas the second egg takes 39 days to hatch and form a baby penguin or 'chick'. The partners take turns in taking care of their eggs. Magellanic Penguins are known for their loyalty as the breeding pair mates for life, and they always return to the same nesting place each breeding season.

What is their conservation status?

The current status of Magellanic Penguins, according to the IUCN Red List is Near Threatened and they are already on the verge of becoming Endangered. There has been a drastic decline observed in their population, and in the Falklands, it has declined by ten percent, as recorded in recent years. However, the worldwide population of these penguins is estimated to be around 1.5 million.

Magellanic Penguin Fun Facts

Let us look at some Magellanic Penguin facts for kids. The Magellanic Penguins do not like to be touched and can even bite humans if they feel threatened. These penguins can swim as deep as 250 ft (76.2 m) in the water to search for food. They are named after the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan. Their skin is full of feathers of black, white, and blue colors.

What do Magellanic Penguins look like?

Magellanic Penguins are medium in size and have black backs with two black bands, along with white bands running across their body from top to bottom. They have white and faded black feathers in the belly area and grey-blue feathers on the backside which helps them to camouflage in the water and stay safe from their predators.

How cute are they?

Newborn baby penguins or penguin chicks are some of the cutest creatures. They look very cute when they are clumsy and awkward. Adult penguins are also cute but not as much as chicks. The cutest thing about penguins are the way they (Magellanic Penguins) walk.

How do they communicate?

Magellanic Penguins communicate by physical behaviors known as 'displays' and they can also communicate by vocalizing. They use many vocals for nesting, nest relief rituals, chick recognition, partner recognition, defense rituals, and protecting their eggs.

How big is a Magellanic Penguin?

Magellanic Penguins are 24-29 in (61-76 cm) long and 27.5 in (70 cm) tall. They weigh between 5.9-14.3 lb (2.7-6.5 kg). They are medium-sized penguins and are five times the size of some cuttlefishes.

How fast can a Magellanic Penguin fly?

Though these penguins fall under the class of Aves and the bird category, they cannot fly. Instead, their swimming motion is similar to flying.

How much does a Magellanic Penguin weigh?

These are medium-sized penguins and the weight range of Magellanic Penguins is from 5.9-14.3 lb (2.7-6.5 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no particular names for male and female Magellanic Penguins, but the scientific name for Magellanic Penguins is 'Spheniscus magellanicus'.

What would you call a baby Magellanic Penguin?

A newborn baby penguin is known as a penguin chick, hatchling or nestling. They are super cute and clumsy and are without doubt one of the cutest offspring in their part of the world.

What do they eat?

Penguins of this species are known to hunt various types of aquatic life like fishes, cuttlefish, and squid. Spheniscus magellanicus are generally hunted by killer whales, leopard seals, and large fur seals.

Are they dangerous?

Yes, this species of birds is somewhat dangerous. Adult Magellanic Penguins do not like to be touched by humans. They get irritated and can even bite a human being with their sharp beaks if they feel threatened.

Would they make a good pet?

Penguin (Magellanic, in particular) are not a very friendly type of bird, they are more of an anti-social kind and do not like to be touched or hugged. Though they are one of the most loyal birds that exist on the planet and their breeding pairs last for life, they would not make a good pet.

Kidadl Advisory: All pets should only be bought from a reputable source. It is recommended that as a potential pet owner you carry out your own research prior to deciding on your pet of choice. Being a pet owner is very rewarding but it also involves commitment, time and money. Ensure that your pet choice complies with the legislation in your state and/or country. You must never take animals from the wild or disturb their habitat. Please check that the pet you are considering buying is not an endangered species, or listed on the CITES list, and has not been taken from the wild for the pet trade.

Did you know...

Magellanic Penguins are pronounced as 'Mag-el-lan-ic Pen-guin'. Drawing a Magellanic Penguin's body is not that hard, one can draw by following the steps.

First, you could draw the outline of the head with beak and eye, then draw the body with curved lines and the wingspan in the shape of S. Then draw two legs and feet one above another and finish the rough sketch by drawing the tail in the shape of L. Then at last draw some lines on the face to give it a penguin's look.

Naming the Magellanic Penguin

Magellanic Penguins got their name after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who, whilst sailing with his crew around the tip of South America, found this species. This was during their historical and legendary attempt to circumnavigate the world all the way back in 1519.

Is the Magellanic Penguin Endangered?

Magellanic Penguins are a Near Threatened species as of now, as it says in the IUCN Red List. The population of the species is decreasing drastically and could be Endangered soon because of various reasons like pollution, oil in water bodies and habitat loss. The current population of penguins of this species is estimated somewhere around 1.5 million across the globe. There has been a decline of ten percent of this penguin species in the Falklands in recent times.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including laughing kookaburra, or pileated woodpeckers.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our magellanic penguin coloring pages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Magellanic Penguin Facts You'll Never Forget

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Magellanic Penguins are a species found in the Northern and Southern parts of South America on islands and grasslands. This species are medium-sized penguins that are carnivores and depend on aquatic creatures like squid and cuttlefish for food.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What type of animal is a rockhopper penguin?

The rockhopper penguin is a penguin species. Rockhopper penguins are the smallest species of crested penguins in the world.

What class of animal does a rockhopper penguin belong to?

The rockhopper penguin species falls in the category of birds. They belong to the class Aves and the order Sphenisciformes.

How many rockhopper penguins are there in the world?

The estimated world population of rockhopper penguins is 1.5 million. Their population decreased gradually in the early 20th century, and it is estimated that they have decreased by 30% in the last 30 years. There are only three species of Rockhopper Penguins are there in the world, which are the southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), the Northern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes moseleyi), and the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome filholi).

Where do rockhopper penguins live?

Rockhoppers are usually found in cool temperate islands and offshore islands. They live in cold climates like the Indian Ocean, Antarctica, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, and Tristan da Cunha Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. They are also found on Prince Edward Island in Canada.

What is a rockhopper penguin's habitat?

The typical rockhopper penguin habitat involves rocky shores where they dig their burrows and make their nests. They like to live on cool temperate islands near the Indian Ocean or Antarctica and can also be found on the Falkland Islands and on Tristan da Cunha Island.

Who do rockhopper penguins live with?

Rockhoppers tend to live with their own kind. They are found in breeding colonies which can include hundreds of thousands of penguins altogether. These charismatic penguins live in colonies and form breeding pairs in Antarctica, New Zealand, and numerous other regions and islands.

How long does a rockhopper penguin live?

The typical rockhopper penguin life cycle lasts between 10 and 20 years. The toughest battle for their survival is usually in the first year of their life, only 30-40% of rockhopper penguins will survive this first year and make it to the next year.

How do they reproduce?

Rockhopper penguin mating is a little unique as they usually breed with the same partner every year throughout their life. That is why they can be described as monogamous animals. Their breeding period lasts from early spring to late summer and they usually breed in their vast colonies. After the mating process is complete, a female penguin lays two eggs which both parents take turns incubating. They incubate and guard these eggs for months. The second egg is always smaller than the first and when the eggs hatch the parents take care of the chicks, feeding them and teaching them to survive alone one day

What is their conservation status?

According to the IUCN, the rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) is classified as Vulnerable when it comes to conservation. This means the rockhopper penguin population is decreasing year by year. Oil spills, such as a large accident in 2011, are one main reason for their population decreasing as this incident alone resulted in hundreds of thousands of rockhopper penguins becoming covered with thick oil, eventually causing them to die.

Rockhopper Penguin Fun Facts

What do rockhopper penguins look like?

Eudyptes chrysocome penguins, commonly known as rockhopper penguins have a black body with a white belly like most other penguins. The unique feature which they have that differentiates them from the penguins is their orange beak and red eyes, their pink feet and their cute black and yellow spiky feathers which look like a crest on their head.

How cute are they?

The rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) is very cute. Their cute black and yellow feather-like crests on their heads are certainly one of the best parts of these penguins' appearance. In a battle of macaroni penguin vs rockhopper penguin cuteness, we think the rockhopper penguin would win! Have you ever seen a rockhopper penguin, perhaps at the zoo?

How do they communicate?

Rockhopper penguins communicate with the help of a squawking vocalization and they also perform certain physical behaviors, called displays. They make use of these vocals and visual displays to communicate nesting duties, for partner and chick recognition, mating information, and defense against intruders. They also communicate by shaking their heads, bowing, and preening.

How big is a rockhopper penguin?

A rockhopper penguin is five times bigger than a common cat. The average rockhopper penguin height can be around 20 in (50.8 cm) and they are normally between 16-18 in (41-46 cm) in length.

How fast can a rockhopper penguin swim?

Rockhoppers can swim up to 4.3 mph (7 kmph). Both the eastern rockhopper and southern rockhopper penguin can dive up to 160 ft (48.8 m) deep.

How much does a rockhopper penguin weigh?

The weight of a rockhopper penguin varies between 5.5-6.6 lb (2.5-3 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no different names for male and female rockhoppers.

What would you call a baby rockhopper penguin?

A baby rockhopper penguin is called a rockhopper chick. When their eggs hatch both members of the breeding pairs of southern eastern and northern rockhopper penguins teach their rockhopper chicks the tricks of life and how to save themselves from predators.

What do rockhopper penguins eat?

Rockhoppers eat a mix of small fishes, crustaceans, krill, and squid. They are often called opportunistic hunters as they chase multiple small preys at the same time. Their diet normally is made up of 15% of krill.

Are they aggressive?

Rockhopper penguins are quite aggressive in nature. They are the most aggressive penguins in the world but they are short-tempered and get irritated easily. These penguins often get aggressive with each other and fight with each other, usually for mating rights, food, and nesting sites.

Would they make a good pet?

Eastern, northern, and southern rockhopper penguins cannot be kept as pets. They cannot live alone and always live with thousands of other penguins. They are perfectly adapted to live in an open environment and cannot be confined in one place. It goes to say that humans cannot provide rockhoppers with a similar environment to the one in which they are adapted to live. As a result, they cannot be kept as human pets.

Kidadl Advisory: All pets should only be bought from a reputable source. It is recommended that as a potential pet owner you carry out your own research prior to deciding on your pet of choice. Being a pet owner is very rewarding but it also involves commitment, time and money. Ensure that your pet choice complies with the legislation in your state and/or country. You must never take animals from the wild or disturb their habitat. Please check that the pet you are considering buying is not an endangered species, or listed on the CITES list, and has not been taken from the wild for the pet trade.

Did you know...

The word 'Eudyptes' is derived from the Greek language which means a 'good diver' and the word 'Chrysocome' means 'golden hair'.

When a rockhopper is young, it has a black beak and as he matures and grows older, the beak starts turning orange.

Why are they called rockhopper penguins?

Southern, eastern, and northern rockhopper penguins get their common name 'rockhopper' due to their behavior, which is different from that of many other penguins. Rockhoppers do not like to slide around on the ice on their white bellies (something which almost all other penguin species like to do) Instead, rockhoppers like to hop on the rocky shores in their colonies, especially in the southern hemisphere in cool temperate zones.

Why do rockhopper penguins lay two eggs?

Southern, eastern, and northern rockhopper penguins always lay two eggs. The second egg is known as the reassurance egg because the first year of the penguin's life is very difficult and they often sadly die. Rockhopper penguins, therefore, lay two eggs so that if one chick dies, they will still have another one.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the chinstrap penguin, or African penguin.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Rockhopper penguin coloring pages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Did You Know? Incredible Rockhopper Penguin Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The rockhopper penguin is a penguin species. Rockhopper penguins are the smallest species of crested penguins in the world. The rockhopper penguin species falls in the category of birds. They belong to the class Aves and the order Sphenisciformes. The estimated world population of rockhopper penguins is 1.5 million.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Gentoo Penguin Facts

Main Characteristics

Gentoos are very shy penguins living in large colonies in the Antarctic region. Gentoos can be easily distinguished from other penguins. They have a bright orange bill and a white stripe above their eyes extending over the top of their heads.

Anatomy and Appearance

The Third Largest Penguin

Among 18 penguin species the gentoo is the third-largest. Only the king penguin and the emperor penguin are even taller.

Behavior

Donkey or Penguin?

The gentoo has a weird call which resembles the braying of a donkey. The gentoo uses its call as a warning against egg thieves or to impress female gentoos.

Locomotion

The Speeders Among The Penguins

Gentoos are extremely fast under water and would "outswim" all other penguin species. With more than 20 mph (36 km/h) they are the fastest penguins, but they are also the shyest of them all.

Reproduction

A Nest Made of Stones?

Gentoos use stones to build their nests and stack them in a circle. The nests measure up to 10 inch (25 cm) in diameter and are up to 8 inch (20 cm) high. Doesn't sound very cozy. Luckily they also add some feathers and some moss.

Gentoos always build their nests on iceless ground, either on the coast or up-country between protecting tufts of grass. Their eggs weigh about 4.5 oz (130 g) and are being incubated by both parents alterrnately for 34-36 days.

After hatching the baby birds stay in the nest for about 30 days. After 80-100 days their plumage is dense enough to protect them from the icy water.

Fighting Over Stones

The stones are heavily guarded and quite frequently there are loud arguments as to who owns which stones - mainly between male gentoos. They even fight to get hold of the best and most beautiful stones. Why? They want to give them to female penguins in order to gain their sympathy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gentoos are very shy penguins living in large colonies in the Antarctic region. Gentoos can be easily distinguished from other penguins. They have a bright orange bill and a white stripe above their eyes extending over the top of their heads. Among 18 penguin species the gentoo is the third-largest.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Perhaps it's time to learn some of the most interesting Gentoo penguin facts for kids. The Gentoo penguin ( Pygoscelis papua) is the closest cousin of adelie penguin and chinstrap penguin. Gentoo penguins have a range of loud calls. It is also known as long-tailed Gentoo.

Gentoo Penguin Facts for Kids

Gentoo penguins stand 51 to 90 cm tall. Gentoos are the third largest penguins in the world. Emperor and king penguins are the only penguins that are taller than gentoos.

Adult males weigh 11 - 19 pounds. Females have a maximum weight of 18 pounds.

Diet: Gentoo penguins eat crustaceans, fish, krill, squat lobsters, and squid. Most of the gentoo's diet consists of fish and krill.

Habitat: Gentoos make colonies on rocky, ice-free areas. They live in Falkland Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Islands, South Georgia, Macquarie Island, South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Speed: Gentoo penguins are the fastest swimmers of all penguins. They can reach the speed of 22 miles per hour or 36 kilometers per hour.

Reproduction: The female lays 2 eggs weighing 130 grams. Chicks begin to forage after 80 - 100 days age.

Habitat: Gentoo penguins can live 15 - 20 years in the natural habitat.

Predators: Predators of Gentoo penguins are killer whales, leopard seals, and sea lions. Skuas mostly eat Gentoo's eggs.

Population: The overall population size of Gentoo penguins consist of 300,000 breeding pairs worldwide.

Gentoo Penguin Facts for Kids - Video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gentoo Penguin Facts for Kids - Fun Facts and Information * Kids Animals Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Perhaps it's time to learn some of the most interesting Gentoo penguin facts for kids. The Gentoo penguin ( Pygoscelis papua) is the closest cousin of adelie penguin and chinstrap penguin. Gentoo penguins have a range of loud calls. It is also known as long-tailed Gentoo. Gentoo penguins stand 51 to 90 cm tall.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Common Name:

Gentoo Penguin

Scientific Name:

Pygoscelis papua

Average Life Span In The Wild:

15 to 20 years

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

With flamboyant red-orange beaks, white-feather caps, and peach-colored feet, gentoo penguins stand out against their drab, rock-strewn Antarctic habitat.

Habitat

These charismatic waddlers, who populate the Antarctic Peninsula and numerous islands around the frozen continent, are the penguin world's third largest members, reaching a height of 30 inches and a weight of 12 pounds.

Gentoos are partial to ice-free areas, including coastal plains, sheltered valleys, and cliffs. They gather in colonies of breeding pairs that can number from a few dozen to many thousands.

Parenting

Gentoo parents, which often form long-lasting bonds, are highly nurturing. At breeding time, both parents will work to build a circular nest of stones, grass, moss, and feathers. The mother then deposits two spherical, white eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for more than a month. Hatchlings remain in the nest for up to a month, and the parents alternate foraging and brooding duties.

Underwater Adaptations

Like all penguins, gentoos are awkward on land. But they're pure grace underwater. They have streamlined bodies and strong, paddle-shaped flippers that propel them up to 22 miles an hour, faster than any other diving bird.

Hunting

Adults spend the entire day hunting, usually close to shore, but occasionally ranging as far as 16 miles out. When pursuing prey, which includes fish, squid, and krill, they can remain below for up to seven minutes and dive as deep as 655 feet.

Threats to Survival

Gentoo penguins are a favored menu item of the leopard seals, sea lions, and orcas that patrol the waters around their colonies. On land, adults have no natural predators other than humans, who harvest them for their oil and skin. Gentoo eggs and chicks, however, are vulnerable to birds of prey, like skuas and caracaras.

Gentoo numbers are increasing on the Antarctic Peninsula but have plummeted in some of their island enclaves, possibly due to local pollution or disrupted fisheries. They are protected by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and received near threatened status on the IUCN Red List in 2007.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about these charismatic waddlers, whose red-orange beaks, white-feather caps, and peach-colored feet help them stand out against their drab, rock-strewn Antarctic habitat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The yellow-eyed penguin, Megadyptes antipodes, is an endangered species of penguin, and the third largest penguin in the world. The penguin gets its name from the yellow stripes on its head. They live and breed on the sea shore of New Zealand and some also in the Antarctic islands in the south. They have a high pitched call which can be heard very clearly.

Yellow-eyed penguins eat small to medium sized fish, red cod and squid.

They make their nests out of twigs, grass and leaves, carefully formed into a bowl shape. The chicks take 39 to 51 days to hatch and both parents share keeping the eggs warm.

Images for kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The yellow-eyed penguin, Megadyptes antipodes, is an endangered species of penguin, and the third largest penguin in the world. The penguin gets its name from the yellow stripes on its head. They live and breed on the sea shore of New Zealand and some also in the Antarctic islands in the south.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scientific Classification

Fast Facts

Description

As their name implies, yellow-eyed penguins have pale yellow eyes. Their head is also pale yellow. A band of bright yellow extends from their eyes around the back of the head.

Size

Up to 76 cm (30 in.)

Weight

Up to 6 kg (3 lbs.)

Diet

Fishes and squids

Incubation

39 to 51 days

Clutch Size

2 eggs

Sexual Maturity

Males: 4 to 5 years; females: 2 to 3 years

Life Span

15 to 20 years

Range

Southeast New Zealand

Habitat

Areas with dense vegetation near the coast.

Population

Global: estimated 5,930 to 6,970 mature individuals

Status

IUCN: Endangered
CITES: Not listed
USFWS: Not listed

Fun Facts

Yellow-eyed penguins lay two eggs and parents typically raise both chicks, which can be nearly equal in size.

The voice of the yellow-eyed penguin is semi-musical when compared to other penguin calls.

For more information about penguins, explore the Penguin InfoBook.

Ecology and Conservation

Introduced predators such as cats, stoat and ferrets have impacted yellow-eyed penguin populations. Habitat degradation, avian malaria, food shortages due to sea temperature changes, human disturbances, drowning in fishing nets, and accidental fires are all threats to yellow-eyed penguins.

All 18 penguin species are legally protected from hunting and egg collecting. The Antarctic Treaty of 1959 makes it illegal to harm, or in any way interfere with, a penguin or its eggs. Every penguin specimen collected with a permit must be approved by and reported to the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR). Penguins are vulnerable to habitat destruction, overfishing of primary food sources, ecological disasters such as oil spills, pollution such as trash in the ocean, and human encroachment into nesting areas.

Bibliography

BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Megadyptes antipodes. Downloaded from birdlife.org

Coats, Judith. Penguins: Flightless Birds of the Southern Hemisphere. SeaWorld Education Department, 2001.

Nuzzolo, Debbie. Penguin March. SeaWorld Education Department, 2002.

Yellow_Eyed_Penguin._(Megadyptes_antipodes)_(9868019174).jpg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image by: Bernard Spragg. Year Created: 3 December 2011. Website: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow_Eyed_Penguin._(Megadyptes_antipodes)_(9868019174).jpg. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Description As their name implies, yellow-eyed penguins have pale yellow eyes. Their head is also pale yellow. A band of bright yellow extends from their eyes around the back of the head. Size Up to 76 cm (30 in.) Weight Up to 6 kg (3 lbs.)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We have gathered some of the most amazing yellow eyed penguin facts for kids. The yellow -eyed penguin ( Megadyptes antipodes) is a subspecies that breeds in the waters of New Zealand. It is also called hoiho. Yellow-eyed penguins have a piscivorous diet which means that most of their diet consists of fish.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Facts

Size and Weight: They stand 62-79 cm tall and weigh as much as 12 - 18 pounds which makes them the fourth largest penguin in the world.

Description: Unlike other penguins, yellow-eyed penguins have pale yellow head. Their chin appears brownish. Males are not only bigger than females they have longer lifespans too.

Distribution: Yellow-eyed penguins are found in the Stewart Islands, Campbell Islands, Auckland Islands, Otago Peninsula. Some of them migrate to Chatham Islands, Snares Islands, and Bay of Plenty.

Habitat: The yellow-eyed pe

nguin makes habitat in coastal forests, gullies, shore, flex, exposed cliffs, slopes, and scrub.

Diet: Yellow-eyed penguins feed on red cod, blue cod, blueback sprat, ahuru, cephalopods, silversides, demersal species, jellyfish, and arrow squid. They share their diet with Adelie penguins, Magellanic penguins, and little blue penguins.

They will nest in large colonies. Each group consists of 4 - 6 individuals.

Yellow-eyed penguins are relatively deep divers for they can dive 131 - 394 feet deep into the water to find small fish. They also travel 2 - 24 kilometers offshore.

The female lays 2 eggs in August and September. Both parents incubate the eggs for as long as 39 - 51 days.

Predators: Predators of yellow-eyed penguins include stoats, feral cats, ferrets, and possibly dogs. The introduction of these species has caused significant decline in the yellow-eyed penguin's population.

Yellow-eyed penguins have lost 75% of their original population size. The current population is estimated at 1,700 only. They are highly endangered birds.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Facts for Kids - Video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Yellow Eyed Penguin Facts for Kids * KidsAnimalsFacts.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Yellow-eyed penguins are relatively deep divers for they can dive 131 - 394 feet deep into the water to find small fish. They also travel 2 - 24 kilometers offshore. Check out these interesting yellow eyed penguin facts. You'll enjoy reading all these facts.