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Emperor Penguin is the biggest penguin species in the world. It is commonly confused with lesser, but similar King Penguin. Unlike King Penguin, Emperor Penguin has a shorter and more curved beak. Whereas "dress suit" of King Penguin is almost "on" under the neck, Emperor Penguin has its "dress suit" widely opened. They also differ in the color intensity of the orange part of the head side. Youngs of King Penguin have their first feathers brown, young Emperor Penguins are grey with the typical black-and-white mask on their head, as shown exemplarily in the movie Happy Feet.
Penguins are known for their whole-life monogamy and their partnership is usually
stable. Emperor Penguin lies a single egg only, puts it on its feet and warms it by its skin pocket on the ventral part of the body. Because of the hard subantarctic conditions, their feathers are really dense and look more "hairy“. During moulting, particular feathers are literally extruded by the newly growing so the bird seems like ill.
Penguins are ichtyophags. Despite they move awkwardly on the land (many species can slip on their stomach), they are excellent in the water diving. Caudal position of their feet makes an ideal motor to move the body. Due to their limited mobility, it is more convenient for them to nest in the colonies with the hope that own nest will not be the one under attack.
Penguins are long-living birds – the eldest documented King Penguin in the world died in Gloucestershire, Great Britain, in the age of 36 years.
