Emperor Penguin vs Adelie Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri compared with Pygoscelis adeliae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Penguin | Adelie Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes forsteri | Pygoscelis adeliae |
| Order | Sphenisciformes | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae | Spheniscidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | 115.0 cm (45.3 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 76.0 cm (29.9 in) | 18.9 cm (7.4 in) |
| Weight | 30000.0 g (1058.22 oz) | 5425.0 g (191.36 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily Antarctic silverfish, krill, and squid. The deepest-diving bird, reaching depths over 500 meters and … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Emperor Penguin
Antarctic pack ice and surrounding Southern Ocean. The only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter.
Song & Call Comparison
Emperor Penguin
Loud, resonant trumpeting calls used for individual recognition in dense colonies. Each bird's call is unique in frequency. Also gives softer contact 'braying' notes.
Adelie Penguin
Geographic Range & Migration
Emperor Penguin
Antarctic continent and surrounding sea ice. Breeding colonies are found along the entire Antarctic coastline.
Adelie Penguin
Conservation Status
Emperor Penguin
Adelie Penguin
How to Tell Them Apart
Emperor Penguin
Black head, chin, and dorsal side with white belly. Bright yellow-orange ear patches fade to pale yellow on the upper breast.
Long, slightly decurved bill — black with orange or pink mandible stripe
Adelie Penguin
About These Birds
Emperor Penguin
The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all penguin species. They breed in the harshest conditions on Earth, enduring Antarctic winter temperatures of -60 C and wind speeds of 200 km/h. Males incubate the single egg on their feet under a brood pouch for about 65 days while fasting.
Adelie Penguin
Adélie Penguin, 46–71 cm, is a quintessential Antarctic penguin, breeding in large colonies on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands. Classic tuxedo pattern with a distinctive white eye ring. Piscivore and krill feeder; dives to 175 m. Migratory; travels up to 300 km on sea ice to winter grounds.