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Emperor penguins are large-sized waterfowl, which makes them stand out among all members of the penguin family.
These waterfowl have significant differences from other similar species - these are not only quite large sizes, but also the inability of these birds to independently build nests. Egg incubation is carried out by means of a special leathery fold-bag located on the belly (this fold is present in both males and females).
Appearance Features
The maximum size of birds is up to 130 cm in length, weight - up to 50 kg. Note that this species of penguin has a large muscular mass, which is caused by a sufficiently developed thoracic section of these waterfowl.
The color of the feather cover of the emperor penguin is black and white, this color helps the birds to effectively hide from their enemies in the water. The plumage under the neck and near the cheeks has a characteristic brick color. The first outfit of hatching chicks of a large penguin is grayish-white fluff. The weight of the newborn chick is no more than 320 grams. Note that the feather cover of adults provides the birds with effective protection, while maintaining body heat.
Another significant difference between this species of penguin and its relatives is the density of the bones of birds (without characteristic cavities). The life span of these birds rarely exceeds 25 years in their natural habitat.
Habitat
The approximate number of representatives of this species is about 450 thousand individuals, which are divided among themselves into small colonies. A strand of 300 thousand representatives of the species of birds most of their lives live on ice floes, however, during the breeding season and for subsequent hatching of their offspring they migrate to the mainland.
The largest colony of large penguins settled for nesting on Cape Washington (at least 20-25 thousand pairs).
Behavior features
This type of waterfowl is mainly kept in small colonies, while finding places to live with natural shelters in the form of fairly large ice floes and ice hummocks. Moreover, around the selected area for life, there are always areas with open water, which, in fact, is the food supply for these birds. Often, penguins use their belly to move along the surface, that is, they lie on their stomach and begin to slide on the ice surface, actively helping themselves with wings and paws.
At very low temperatures, adults gather in groups, snuggling tightly to each other in order to keep warm. Moreover, movement is constantly observed in such groups - birds move, changing places.
The individuals are distinguished by a very majestic appearance, for which they actually got their name, nevertheless, this is a very cautious bird that does not let people close to it, which is why to this day attempts to ring representatives of this species have not been crowned with success.
Power Features
The main diet of birds of this species is a diverse fish, for the extraction of food penguins often gather in small groups.In order to catch fish, groups of penguins swim in swimming fish schools, swallowing hesitant marine life. If a large penguin becomes prey of a large enough fish, he cuts it already on the surface.
In search of food, emperor penguins can swim quite large distances (up to 500 km). The speed of movement of these waterfowl during hunting is about 5-6 km / h. The duration of stay under water is about 15 minutes.
Emperor Penguin Breeding
Big penguins are monogamous birds, created once the couple lives together until the end of their lives. In order to attract a female, birds of the opposite sex use their rather loud voice. The duration of courtship games is about 1 month. At this time, individuals of both sexes make rather long joint walks, while males often show their original dance in front of the females, one of the movements of which is a low bow.
There is only one egg in the clutch, which is laid by the female about a month after the start of the breeding season (May-June). The size of the egg is quite large (width - up to 10 mm, length - at least 120 mm, weight - up to 500 g).
For some time, the female keeps the egg in the fold of the bag, holding the last with her wings (1.5 months), after which she passes it to the male for subsequent hatching, and he goes on a long hunt. The next 9 weeks, the male emperor penguin practically does not move and eats only snow, which is why it loses most of the weight. In the event that the female penguin does not have time to return from the hunt in time to hatch the chick, the family’s father activates special glands that are responsible for the processing of subcutaneous fat into a creamy composition, which the male feeds the chicks until the parent returns.
Hatching chicks are covered in fluff; the ability to swim will appear after six months after the appearance of the first feather dress. After birth, young penguins can leave their parents after 1.5 months, often the result of such carelessness is their death.
Of particular note is the fact that those females who have lost their offspring can abduct chicks and raise them as their own.
Natural enemies
Often, young individuals of emperor penguins become prey for such a feathered predator like skuas.
The main danger to the population of the species is global warming, in addition, there is another factor affecting the decrease in the number of these waterfowl - this is a fairly rapid reduction in the food supply. Recent studies show that the population of penguins in recent years can significantly decrease (up to 5%). This is due to the depletion of natural resources, which is why it is increasingly difficult for this species of bird to obtain food necessary for nutrition. Also, the violation by humans of their natural environment (the massive development of tourism) affects the life of birds.
Video: Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
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