Emperor & King Emperor & King PenguinsPenguins

The ancestors of Adélie and Emperor penguins lived in areas of temperate climate (like California is now). When Adelie (and Emperor) Penguins adapted to the harsh conditions of the Antarctic they were able to live where there were far fewer predators and less competition for food from other birds than there was in warmer environments. However, the harsh environment requires all their energy just to survive.

How do they do it?

• Wings: swimming

• Feet: walking, tobogganing

• Feathers: keeping warm

• Mouth: catching prey

WingsPenguin wings might remind you more of a dolphin’s flipper and yet dolphins are mammals and penguins are birds. Dolphins use their tail, but penguins use their wings (flippers) to propel themselves through the water using little energy. It has been said that penguins fly through the water because the movement of their wings is similar to the wing movements of birds flying in the air. However, unlike air-flying birds, penguins gain power on both the up stroke and down stroke of their wings when they are swimming.

Being powerful swimmers is one of the adaptation for this environment because the only food available is in the ocean. There are no land organisms in Antarctica for penguins to eat.

Penguin bones in the wing are flat, solid and very strong. Here you can see the wrist and finger bones. Wing bones in birds that fly are round and hollow. This adaptation means their flipper will be flat for better movement through the water and strong for powerful strokes.

Penguin Body FormThe penguin body shape has been described as the most hydrodynamic* form possible. Scientist have used the penguin form to design underwater vehicles, torpedoes and submarines.

For penguins such a shape allows them to swim fast if they need to and over long distances using the least amount of energy.

All of the food for these birds is in the ocean. Being a powerful swimmer is an important adaptation for these birds.

Emperor PenguinEmperor Penguin

IdentificationIdentification

The Emperor Penguin is bigger than The Emperor Penguin is bigger than any other living penguin, standing any other living penguin, standing up to 1.1 m tall. up to 1.1 m tall.

It is distinguished from the smaller It is distinguished from the smaller King Penguin by its size, more King Penguin by its size, more robust stature, and a broad pale robust stature, and a broad pale yellow connection between the yellow connection between the orange-yellow ear patches and the orange-yellow ear patches and the pale yellow upper breast. pale yellow upper breast.

Males and females are Males and females are indistinguishable during most of indistinguishable during most of the year. the year.

However, when it becomes time However, when it becomes time for the male to switch for the male to switch responsibilities with the female, responsibilities with the female, the male can have slimmed down the male can have slimmed down to half his weight.to half his weight.

Immature birds resemble adults but Immature birds resemble adults but are smaller and have a white rather are smaller and have a white rather than black chin.than black chin.

Ear patches are whitish, becoming Ear patches are whitish, becoming increasingly yellow with age.increasingly yellow with age.

HabitsHabits

Breeds during the Antarctic winter Breeds during the Antarctic winter from March to December. from March to December.

Eggs and chicks are balanced on the Eggs and chicks are balanced on the feet to prevent them from coming feet to prevent them from coming into contact with the ice. into contact with the ice.

No nests are built, which allows the No nests are built, which allows the colony to move around and huddle colony to move around and huddle close together, providing some close together, providing some protection from the cold. protection from the cold.

The Emperor penguin feeds primarily on The Emperor penguin feeds primarily on shoaling fish, small crustaceans and shoaling fish, small crustaceans and squid. squid.

They can dive more than 300 meters They can dive more than 300 meters deep, and remain under water for as long deep, and remain under water for as long as 22 minutes; but these are extremes. as 22 minutes; but these are extremes.

Most of the time, emperors are feeding Most of the time, emperors are feeding down to around, say, 150-200 meters, down to around, say, 150-200 meters, particularly in winter. particularly in winter.

The majority of their dives last only 3-6 The majority of their dives last only 3-6 minutes.minutes.

DistributionDistribution

Breeds during the Antarctic winter Breeds during the Antarctic winter in about 30 colonies around the in about 30 colonies around the southern parts of the Antarctic southern parts of the Antarctic continent, usually on fast ice. continent, usually on fast ice.

Probably depends a lot upon Probably depends a lot upon polynias – areas of open water polynias – areas of open water surrounded by sea ice – during surrounded by sea ice – during winter.winter.

DistributionDistribution

Little is known about post-breeding Little is known about post-breeding dispersal or migration. dispersal or migration.

Adults stay close to the permanent Adults stay close to the permanent ice for most of their lives. ice for most of their lives.

Juveniles equipped with satellite Juveniles equipped with satellite transmitters, however, migrated as transmitters, however, migrated as far north as the polar front. far north as the polar front.

The female lays only one egg; it The female lays only one egg; it is too energetically expensive to is too energetically expensive to rear more than one chick; and rear more than one chick; and they can only fit one egg (and they can only fit one egg (and later one chick) onto their feet. later one chick) onto their feet.

Also, if an egg is lost, it cannot Also, if an egg is lost, it cannot be re-laid because by the time be re-laid because by the time the female returns it is far too the female returns it is far too late to try again. late to try again.

After the female lays her egg, she After the female lays her egg, she passes it over to the male - passes it over to the male - though not quite immediately. though not quite immediately.

Sometimes females sit on a Sometimes females sit on a newly-laid egg for hours before newly-laid egg for hours before their mates finally get them: eggs their mates finally get them: eggs are very precious commodities, are very precious commodities, and the changeover is a very and the changeover is a very hazardous transition. hazardous transition.

If the male does not manage to scoop If the male does not manage to scoop up the egg very quickly, it freezes up the egg very quickly, it freezes and the breeding season is over for a and the breeding season is over for a pair before it has really begun. pair before it has really begun.

So the females are not very keen to So the females are not very keen to risk losing their valuable egg. risk losing their valuable egg.

The female travels across the ice to The female travels across the ice to feed in the fish-filled waters far away feed in the fish-filled waters far away in the north. She spends the winter at in the north. She spends the winter at sea.sea.

Chicks grow slowly at first, more Chicks grow slowly at first, more rapidly in late spring. rapidly in late spring.

Once the young are about seven Once the young are about seven weeks old, they join other chicks in a weeks old, they join other chicks in a crèche, which is protected by a few crèche, which is protected by a few adults. adults.

By midsummer, the fledglings are By midsummer, the fledglings are independent. independent.

They will be ready to breed in 4-8 They will be ready to breed in 4-8 years.years.

Emperor penguins can live up to Emperor penguins can live up to twenty years or more; exceptional twenty years or more; exceptional cases have been recorded of over cases have been recorded of over forty years, though such extremes of forty years, though such extremes of longevity are rare. longevity are rare.

Mortality among the chicks and Mortality among the chicks and fledglings is high, especially after fledglings is high, especially after fledging in their first year of life when fledging in their first year of life when the young Emperors must figure out the young Emperors must figure out how to live at sea.how to live at sea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgGL6SbMfKc&feature=PlayListv=cgGL6SbMfKc&feature=PlayList&p=5BA14B29FE3DF6EE&playnext&p=5BA14B29FE3DF6EE&playnext_from=PL&index=1_from=PL&index=1

Here are 10 interesting Here are 10 interesting facts about Emperor facts about Emperor

Penguins:Penguins:   A grown-up male Emperor Penguin can weigh up A grown-up male Emperor Penguin can weigh up to 90 pounds and a grown-up female Emperor to 90 pounds and a grown-up female Emperor Penguin can weigh up to 70 pounds.Penguin can weigh up to 70 pounds.

Emperor Penguins can grow up to be four feet tall.Emperor Penguins can grow up to be four feet tall. Most Emperor Penguins can live to be 20 years old.Most Emperor Penguins can live to be 20 years old. Every winter the female Emperor Penguin lays only Every winter the female Emperor Penguin lays only

one egg.one egg. Baby Emperor Penguins are called chicks, and Baby Emperor Penguins are called chicks, and

when the chicks grow older they form groups when the chicks grow older they form groups called "crèches". called "crèches".

Emperor Penguins survive the cold temperatures of Emperor Penguins survive the cold temperatures of Antarctica by huddling together.Antarctica by huddling together.

Emperor Penguins can dive as deep as 1,750 feet in Emperor Penguins can dive as deep as 1,750 feet in the frigid waters of the ocean.the frigid waters of the ocean.

Emperor Penguins live in colonies that can be very Emperor Penguins live in colonies that can be very far away from the ocean waters, such as 50 miles far away from the ocean waters, such as 50 miles away.away.

When Emperor Penguins travel for food they can When Emperor Penguins travel for food they can travel up to 870 miles in one single trip.travel up to 870 miles in one single trip.

Because Emperor Penguins are clumsy on their Because Emperor Penguins are clumsy on their webbed feet they can also slide on their stomach at webbed feet they can also slide on their stomach at 4-5 mph. 4-5 mph.

King PenguinKing Penguin

King PenguinKing Penguin

Scientific name: Aptenodytes Scientific name: Aptenodytes patagonicuspatagonicus

Size: 16.0 kg (m), 14.3 kg (f)Size: 16.0 kg (m), 14.3 kg (f) Nest type: in colonies in the open, Nest type: in colonies in the open,

have territories but no nesthave territories but no nest Favorite food: fish, some squidFavorite food: fish, some squid

No other bird has a longer breeding No other bird has a longer breeding cycle than King Penguins. cycle than King Penguins.

They take 14 to 16 months to fledge a They take 14 to 16 months to fledge a single chick. single chick.

During the winter, chicks may be left During the winter, chicks may be left to fast for from one to five months to fast for from one to five months (May to September/October). (May to September/October).

Adults can rear a maximum of only Adults can rear a maximum of only two chicks every three years.two chicks every three years.

IdentificationIdentification

The second-largest penguin species, The second-largest penguin species, similar in appearance to Emperor similar in appearance to Emperor Penguin, but their ranges do not Penguin, but their ranges do not usually overlap. usually overlap.

Cheeks are dark orange. Cheeks are dark orange. The belly is white but the back is The belly is white but the back is

paler than other penguins, more of a paler than other penguins, more of a grey than black. grey than black.

Immatures are similar to adults, but Immatures are similar to adults, but with duller facial plumage. with duller facial plumage.

Ear patches are pale yellow rather Ear patches are pale yellow rather than orange and the throat is grey-than orange and the throat is grey-white. white.

Reaches adult plumage after two Reaches adult plumage after two years.years.

HabitsHabits

Dense colonies, which can number Dense colonies, which can number several tens of thousand pairs, are several tens of thousand pairs, are located amongst tussocks, gently sloping located amongst tussocks, gently sloping beaches, and sometimes can be over a beaches, and sometimes can be over a kilometre inland. kilometre inland.

No nest is built, but pairs still maintain No nest is built, but pairs still maintain territories within pecking distance of territories within pecking distance of each other.each other.

At sea, King Penguins are usually found At sea, King Penguins are usually found in ice-free waters. in ice-free waters.

The male king penguin incubates The male king penguin incubates the egg much as male Emperor the egg much as male Emperor penguins, but the King penguins penguins, but the King penguins do this during the warmer do this during the warmer summer season, when food is summer season, when food is more available. more available.

Once the egg is laid, the male Once the egg is laid, the male will care for it.will care for it.

The female goes to the open sea and The female goes to the open sea and will return in about 21 days to take will return in about 21 days to take her turn keeping the egg warm. her turn keeping the egg warm.

The male will only go about 1 The male will only go about 1 month without food. month without food.

The chick hatches in about 54 days. The chick hatches in about 54 days. The chick is cared for by both The chick is cared for by both

parents for 30 to 40 days.parents for 30 to 40 days.

King Penguin ChickKing Penguin Chick

In the spring the parents come back In the spring the parents come back and start feeding the chick again. and start feeding the chick again.

At this time, the chicks starts to At this time, the chicks starts to grow its adult feathers and is ready grow its adult feathers and is ready to go off on its own. to go off on its own.

Raising a King penguin chick Raising a King penguin chick usually takes 10 to 13 months. usually takes 10 to 13 months.

This allows the adults to raise only This allows the adults to raise only 1 chick every other year.1 chick every other year.

MigrationMigration

Due to the extended breeding cycle Due to the extended breeding cycle some birds can be found in the some birds can be found in the colony at any time of the year. colony at any time of the year.

During winter, adults leave their During winter, adults leave their chicks unattended and may travel chicks unattended and may travel extensively before returning. extensively before returning.

DistributionDistribution

Restricted to the sub-Antarctic belt, Restricted to the sub-Antarctic belt, well north of Emperor Penguins. well north of Emperor Penguins.

The male is solely responsible for The male is solely responsible for the two-month incubation of the egg the two-month incubation of the egg during the heart of winter in almost during the heart of winter in almost continuous darkness. continuous darkness.

If the female has not returned by the If the female has not returned by the time of hatching, the male is able to time of hatching, the male is able to feed the chick for a short time with a feed the chick for a short time with a “milk” secreted from the esophagus.“milk” secreted from the esophagus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B71T_GpA2AMv=B71T_GpA2AM

FeetPenguin feet are strong with long nails for climbing over ice and rock. Many people think they have short legs but as you can see from the skeleton their legs are long and strong.

The feathers have a hard shell that overlays other feathers to keep the penguin dry in the water. At the base of the feather is a tuff of down that hold air against their bodies to keep them warm.

Underneath the skin penguins have a insulating layer of fat to keep them warm not only in the water, but also when they are on the ice.

http://http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/03/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/03/bus2antarctica-video-the-rare.htmlbus2antarctica-video-the-rare.html