Our World, Naturally!

Galapagos penguin

This species survives in the tropical climate of the Galapagos Islands due to the cool water temperatures of the Humboldt Current. The third smallest species, the birds are vulnerable to predation and with an estimated population around 1,500, the species is endangered.

Macaroni penguin

One of six species of crested penguin, with a yellow crest and red bill and eyes, the birds are found from the sub-Antarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. With 18 million individuals the animals are the most numerous penguin species in the world, however, a widespread decline in population has been noted since the '70s which resulted in their status being vulnerable.

Little penguin

The smallest species of penguin, the little penguin grows to an average height of 13 inches and can be found on the coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand. With over 500,000 animals in the wild the species isn’t endangered, however, people still go to great lengths to protect the birds with Maremma sheepdogs trained to guard colonies, and snipers deployed to protect little penguins from fox and dog attacks.

King penguins

King penguins are the second largest species of penguin and can grow to 3 feet tall. The animals live in Antarctica, with an estimated population of around 2 million pairs, and are well adapted to the extreme living conditions. The birds boast 70 feathers per square inch of their bodies and have four layers of feathering. Like most penguins, King penguins are able to drink saltwater because their supra-orbital glands filter out excess salt.

African penguin

These penguins are native to southern Africa and are the only penguins that breed on the continent and their presence is how the Penguin Islands got their name. African penguins are also called “Jackass penguins” because of the donkey-like sounds they make. The species is endangered, with fewer than 26,000 breeding pairs remaining on the planet.

Chinstrap penguin

Chinstrap penguins are easily recognisable by the black band on their throat that gives them the appearance of wearing a helmet. Found in Antarctica, the Sandwich Islands and other southern island chains, they live on barren islands and congregate on icebergs during winter. Experts consider these birds to be the most aggressive species of penguin.

Yellow-eyed penguin

Native to New Zealand, these birds may be the most ancient of all living penguins and the longest-lived, with some individuals reaching 20 years of age. Habitat destruction, introduced predators and disease have caused the penguins’ numbers to drop below 4,000 individuals. In 2004, a disease linked to a genus of bacteria causing diphtheria in humans, wiped out 60% of the yellow-eyed penguin chicks on the Otago Peninsula. The species is endangered.

Humboldt penguin

Humboldt penguins are native to Chile and Peru and nest on islands and rocky coasts, often burrowing holes in guano. The birds’ numbers are declining due to overfishing, climate change and ocean acidification and the species is considered vulnerable. In 2010, Humboldt penguins were granted protection under the US Endangered Species Act.

Adelie penguin

Named after Mrs Jules Dumont d’Urville (explorer), Adele, these penguins live on the Antarctic coast and can swim at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. Easily recognisable by the distinctive white rings around their eyes and the fact that they’re mostly black with a white belly, giving them an appearance close to the stereotypical image of penguins.

Emperor penguin

Reaching heights of 4 feet, the Emperor penguin is the tallest of all penguin species. Living in Antarctica, it dives for fish, krill and crustaceans and can reach depths of 1,755 feet and stay submerged for 18 minutes. The Emperor penguin is best known for its annual journey to mate and feed its offspring, which was the focus of the 2005 documentary “March of the Penguins.”

In June 2011, an Emperor Penguin was found on a New Zealand beach consuming sand, which it had mistaken for snow. The bird underwent multiple to remove the sand, sticks and stones from its stomach. Following recovery, the bird, named "Happy Feet," was fitted with a tracking device and released into the Southern Ocean.