Distinguishing features

Largest of all the penguins, could only be confused with a King Penguin, but the location should be a give away. Emperors are only found on and around the Antarctic continent; Kings are found further north. To tell an Emperor from a King notice that the tear-drop shaped ear patches are yellow on Emperors and are open. Kings have orange ear patches that are closed. 

Chicks have distinctive grey and black plumage.

 Photos of Emperor penguins

Sub-species

There are no generally recognised sub-species of the Emperor penguin.

Height & Weight

Adult Emperor penguins are typically 1.2 metres tall. Juveniles are slightly shorter, only about 90cm to 1m. Emperors weigh around 30 to 40kg, their weight varies a great deal during the year. Males can lose about half their body weight while incubating eggs in the Antarctic winter.

Breeding locations

Emperors breed on the fast ice (and on two or three land based sites) all round the Antarctic continent.

The total breeding population in 1994 was estimated to be 218,100 pairs.

Nesting behaviour

Females lay a single egg onto their feet and transfer it immediately to the male who incubates it on his feet underneath a fold of abdominal skin, throughout the Antarctic winter. Temperatures can drop as low as -70°C but they stick with the task! 

Principal diet

Emperors take various antarctic fish as well as crustaceans such as krill etc. 

Alternative names

As far as we know there are no alternative names for Emperor penguins.  If you know of any please send us an email.