Living Beings
    Source-identified Aptenodytes forsteri; Documentary organism photograph. Framed for display
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    Aptenodytes forsteri DT -AQ GR Punta Ambato- (10) (20660341680).jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph. Diego Tirira from Quito, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 2.0

    Field guide · species

    Emperor Penguin

    Aptenodytes forsteri Gray, 1844

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    AnimaliaAvesSphenisciformesSpheniscidae

    Emperor penguins breed through the Antarctic winter and obtain food at sea. Their annual cycle links breeding colonies on sea ice with access to marine prey and the demands of keeping an egg or chick warm.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumChordata
    5. ClassAves
    6. OrderSphenisciformes
    7. FamilySpheniscidae
    8. GenusAptenodytes
    9. SpeciesAptenodytes forsteri
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Deuterostomia clade
    8. Chordata phylum
    9. Craniata subphylum
    10. Vertebrata clade
    11. Gnathostomata clade
    12. Teleostomi clade
    13. Euteleostomi clade
    14. Sarcopterygii superclass
    15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
    16. Tetrapoda clade
    17. Amniota clade
    18. Sauropsida clade
    19. Sauria clade
    20. Archelosauria clade
    21. Archosauria clade
    22. Dinosauria clade
    23. Saurischia clade
    24. Theropoda clade
    25. Coelurosauria clade
    26. Aves class
    27. Neognathae infraclass
    28. Neoaves clade
    29. Aequornithes clade
    30. Sphenisciformes order
    31. Spheniscidae family
    32. Aptenodytes genus
    33. Aptenodytes forsteri species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Physical traits

    Adults are large, with a dark head and back, a pale front and yellow-orange markings around the neck.

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    Habitat and range

    Sea ice supports many breeding colonies, while surrounding marine waters provide food.

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    Diet and nutrition

    Fish, crustaceans and squid contribute to a marine diet that varies with availability.

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    Behavior and activity

    Breeding birds form huddles that reduce heat loss. Feeding requires repeated dives beneath the surface.

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    Reproduction and life cycle

    A single egg is incubated on the parent's feet beneath a brood pouch. Parents alternate care and feeding trips as breeding proceeds.

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    Geographic distribution

    The species is associated with Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Colony locations depend on local ice conditions.

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    Ecological role

    Emperor penguins transfer marine food resources to breeding colonies and form part of Southern Ocean predator-prey communities.

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    Distinctive adaptations

    Insulation, huddling and specialized diving physiology support survival in cold environments.

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    Conservation

    Changes in the timing and stability of sea ice can disrupt breeding. An older population estimate or assessment should not substitute for current colony monitoring.

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    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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