Learn all about the penguins of the Antarctic regions. Filmed in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, see gentoos, king penguins, Magellanic penguins, and rockhoppers and find out how these remarkable aquatic birds have adapted to life in the icy waters of this remarkable wilderness.
All penguins are perfectly adapted for life in the ocean, with characteristic black and white plumage, wings modified to paddle-like flippers, and specialised beaks to grip their slippery prey.
Penguins come in varying sizes
During my Antarctic expedition I filmed seven different species including rockhoppers, Magellanic penguins, gentoos and king penguins. Standing at just 50cm, the rockhopper is the smallest penguin I saw and the king penguin the tallest, between 70 and 100 cm. Unlike most other birds, penguins can’t fly, but have evolved to use their wings as flippers to propel through the water instead. Gentoos are the fastest of these species and can reach speeds of up to 22 mph. These birds are also exceptional divers and can spend several minutes underwater hunting for prey. King penguins typically dive to about 100m, but have been recorded at depths of over 300m!
Penguin feathers
Penguin feathers are shorter and stiffer than most bird feathers, which helps to streamline them in water. These feathers are also densely packed, trapping air to provide better insulation against the cold, and have an oily waterproof coating which the birds replenish daily from a preen gland above their tails.
Penguin diet
Penguins feed on a range of marine life which they regurgitate for chicks back on land. Smaller penguins like the chinstraps eat small crustaceans and molluscs, like krill and squid, whereas larger species like the king penguin hunt mostly for fish, with lanternfish being their most common prey. Each species is also highly specialised for their choice of food with sharp beaks, powerful jaws and bristled mouths that help grip their slippery prey.
Perfectly adapted
Penguins are truly remarkable creatures, braving some of the harshest environments on earth. From powerful flippers and streamlined feathers, to expert swimming skills and specialised beaks, these birds prove that even in the toughest climates, with the right adaptations, life can thrive!
