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Emperor Penguin vs Fiordland Penguin

A side-by-side comparison of the Emperor Penguin and Fiordland Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.

130 cm vs 71 cmNear Threatened / Vulnerable
Emperor penguin standing on Antarctic ice

Emperor Penguin

Near Threatened
Fiordland penguin in dense rainforest habitat

Fiordland Penguin

Vulnerable

Size Comparison

Emperor Penguin

100-130 cm

22-45 kg

Fiordland Penguin

51-71 cm

2.7-5.9 kg

Conservation Status

Emperor Penguin

Near Threatened

Fiordland Penguin

Vulnerable

Scientific Name

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes forsteri

Fiordland Penguin

Eudyptes pachyrhynchus

Height

Emperor Penguin

100-130 cm

Fiordland Penguin

51-71 cm

Weight

Emperor Penguin

22-45 kg

Fiordland Penguin

2.7-5.9 kg

Lifespan

Emperor Penguin

15-20 years

Fiordland Penguin

10-20 years

Population

Emperor Penguin

~595,000 individuals

Fiordland Penguin

~5,500-7,000 pairs

Diet

Emperor Penguin

Fish, Squid, Krill

Fiordland Penguin

Squid, Crustaceans, Small fish

Habitat

Emperor Penguin

Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline

Fiordland Penguin

Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, Dense vegetation

Regions

Emperor Penguin

Antarctica

Fiordland Penguin

New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island

Genus

Emperor Penguin

Aptenodytes

Fiordland Penguin

Eudyptes

About Each Species

Emperor Penguin

The largest penguin species, Emperor Penguins are the only animal to breed during the Antarctic winter, trekking up to 120 km over sea ice to reach their colonies and enduring temperatures below −40 °C.

Learn more about Emperor Penguin

Fiordland Penguin

Also known as Tawaki, this elusive yellow-crested penguin nests in dense temperate rainforests along New Zealand's Fiordland coast — one of the few penguins to breed in forest environments.

Learn more about Fiordland Penguin

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, Emperor Penguin or Fiordland Penguin?

The Emperor Penguin is larger, standing up to 130cm tall compared to the Fiordland Penguin's 71cm.

Which is more endangered, Emperor Penguin or Fiordland Penguin?

The Emperor Penguin is classified as "Near Threatened" while the Fiordland Penguin is "Vulnerable".

Do Emperor Penguins and Fiordland Penguins live in the same area?

Emperor Penguins are found in Antarctica. Fiordland Penguins are found in New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island.

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