From Feet To Beaks

A macaroni penguin with yellow head feathers. NOAA photo

   Although the 17 penguin species live throughout the southern hemisphere, they have many similarities. They all have black backs and white bellies. These colors camouflage the birds on both their backs and fronts in the water, hiding them from predators such as killer whales, skuas, seals and sharks.

   Just like mammals who live in cold climates, penguins have coats of fat to keep warm. Their pad-like, stiff flippers, and broad feet allow them to be expert swimmers. They are incapable of flying, because they lost their light hollow bones and now have solid bones to help them swim better.

   Penguins are different in their head feathers and size. The Emperor penguin is the largest, and can grow up to four feet tall and weigh ninety pounds. In contrast, the Little Blue can only be eighteen inches tall and weigh a little over two pounds. The Little Blue, unlike any other penguin, has a black tie around the neck. The Rockhopper, Erect-Crested, Fiordland, Snares Island, Macaroni, and Royal penguins have yellow head feathers.

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