Emperor penguin birds that defy the harshness of winter
The emperor penguin is the largest of the 17 species of penguins, measuring 1.15 meters (45 inches) in height. It is also the only animal that inhabits the open ice in Antarctica during the winter.
They are facing cold winds reaching -60 degrees Celsius (-76 degrees Fahrenheit) and snowstorms with speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph).
Despite these harsh conditions, Emperor penguins spend their entire lives on the ice or in the waters surrounding Antarctica.
To survive in this extremely cold climate, Emperor penguins are equipped with several special adaptations, four layers of scale-like feathers protect them from icy winds and provide a waterproof layer. Penguins can store large amounts of fat that insulate their bodies while also serving as a long-term energy source.
They have beaks and small fins, which help to retain heat, and special nasal chambers that reduce the heat typically emitted through exhalation. Since the arteries and veins are located close to each other, Emperor penguins have the ability to recycle body heat.
Through this system, the blood is cooled on its way to the penguin’s extremities and warmed on its return to the heart.
Emperor penguins have also been specially adapted to travel in this harsh environment. On the icebergs, they use strong claws on their feet to help grip the surface while they move.
They also slide on their smooth bellies while pushing with their feet.
In the sea, emperor penguins glide through the water with great speed and agility. Their streamlined bodies and strong fins make them excellent swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 3.4 m/s (7.6 mph).
They can dive deeper than any other bird—reaching depths of 565 meters (1850 feet)—and can stay underwater for more than 20 minutes.
What do emperor penguins eat?
Emperor penguins are effective hunters. They eat krill, squid, silverfish, and other types of fish.
Family life
Every winter (which begins in March in Antarctica), emperor penguins travel up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) across the ice to reach stable breeding areas.
Males arrive shortly before females, and they are ready to attract a partner through displays and courtship calls. Emperor penguins are monogamous during each breeding season, choosing only one mate.
Most of them will find a new partner in the following year, but some couples choose to form a bond again.
Reproduction
As soon as the female lays an egg, in May or June, she will pass the egg to the male for incubation. After that, you will embark on a long journey back to the sea to feed on krill, squid, and fish.
Due to the lack of nesting materials on the ice floe, these birds must create a safe and warm environment for the eggs using their bodies. With the aim of keeping the egg protected, the male balances the egg on his feet and covers it with a warm layer of feathered skin called the brood pouch.
In the next two months, male emperor penguins must endure the worst weather conditions on Earth while not eating anything the entire time. To withstand the harsh winds and snowstorms, penguins gather together in groups.
They take turns moving toward the center of the herd, where it is warmer, thus keeping the entire group together.
As soon as the females arrive at the colony, they regurgitate food for the hatchlings to eat. At this time, males can finally return to the sea to fish, while females will continue to care for the chicks. After a few months, the young ones leave their mothers’ brooding bags and remain in groups of chicks called nurseries. This allows females to go hunting.
In the month of December:
The weather is warming in Antarctica, leading to the fragmentation of the outer ice and bringing the sea closer to nesting sites. When the young penguins reach the water, they are about to finish molting their feathers and are ready to swim and fish on their own.
On average, birds live about 15-20 years in the wild. But only a third of the young penguins will reach their first birthday, as they fall prey to seabirds like giant petrels or skuas. In the water, tiger seals and killer whales eat both juveniles and adults.
Presence and extinction
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, emperor penguins are considered to be near threatened. They currently have a large collection.
However, emperor penguins face many threats due to human activity. The rise in temperatures due to the greenhouse effect will reduce its breeding areas, and overfishing will limit its food source.
It is expected that members will decline rapidly over the next three generations as a result of climate change.
Furthermore, studies have shown the presence of antibodies to the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in emperor penguin chicks,IBDV is a highly contagious poultry disease that was likely brought to Antarctica by humans who came into contact with infected birds. Further studies are currently being conducted to measure the impact of the disease on these bird populations.
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