Penguin Originally this name was given to the now extinct great AUK of the North the Atlantic, and transferred in the 19th century to a totally unrelated Antarctic diving bird. Of all birds Penguins are the most highly specialized for marine life. There swimming action is solely by there flipper like wings, while there webbed feet are used as rudders. Having stiff feathers serves as insulation, and are waterproof when oiled.

When underwater Penguins can swim up to 25 mi. per hour pursuing fish, squid, and shrimp that form their diet. Their main enemies are the leopard seal, killer whale, and skua gull. Their legs are set far back on their bodies, they waddle awkwardly on land, and often travel by tobogganing on their bellies over ice. They migrate sometimes great distances each fall to their nesting sites.

While inland they do not eat, subsisting on the layer of fat under the skin; this results in weight loss of up to 75 lb during the two month incubation period. The emperor and the king Penguins are the largest region a height of 3 to 4 ft., incubate their eggs between the their feet in a fold of skin. The smaller jackass Penguins are named for their braying cry, and crested peelings and are distinguished by yellow plumes on either side of the head.

Smallest of all is the little blue Penguin of New Zealand and Australia. Penguins are highly gregarious, and a population density of half a million birds in 500 acres, has been counted at a colony unison in Antarctica .

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