Emperor Penguin vs Magellanic Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri compared with Spheniscus magellanicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Penguin | Magellanic Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes forsteri | Spheniscus magellanicus |
| 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) | 21.9 cm (8.6 in) |
| Weight | 30000.0 g (1058.22 oz) | 4585.0 g (161.73 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily Antarctic silverfish, krill, and squid. The deepest-diving bird, reaching depths over 500 meters and … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 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.
Magellanic Penguin
Geographic Range & Migration
Emperor Penguin
Antarctic continent and surrounding sea ice. Breeding colonies are found along the entire Antarctic coastline.
Magellanic Penguin
Conservation Status
Emperor Penguin
Magellanic 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
Magellanic 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.
Magellanic Penguin
Magellanic Penguin, 61–76 cm, breeds in large colonies on the coasts of southern Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. Two black breast bands, white facial stripe. Migratory; winters northward to southeastern Brazil and the Chilean coast. Piscivore; dives for anchovies and squid. Near Threatened.