Spheniscidae – Penguins
Did you know that some species of penguin are found in forests?
Found mainly in the southern hemisphere, penguins are aquatic, flightless birds. A few species live as far south as the Antarctic, and many others in the more temperate zones. A single species, the Galápagos penguin, lives near the equator.
Penguins are peculiar in their upright, straight posture and large, arm-like wings that don’t fold against their bodies which they use to swim fast underwater and catch fish and squid. The endearing penguin waddle on land is replaced by an equally charming hop in some species.
Traditionally, penguins were hunted for meat and oil extraction and are now a protected species in most countries.
Genera in this family
The genus of penguins with yellow tufts of feather
The genus of pink-patched penguins
The genus of ill-tempered tuxedo penguins
The genus of royal penguins
The vanishing yellow-eyed penguin
A blue, small wonder of the penguin world
