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.

Emperor Penguin

Fiordland Penguin
Size Comparison
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
22-45 kg
Fiordland Penguin
51-71 cm
2.7-5.9 kg
| Feature | Emperor Penguin | Fiordland Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes forsteri | Eudyptes pachyrhynchus |
| Height | 100-130 cm | 51-71 cm |
| Weight | 22-45 kg | 2.7-5.9 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 10-20 years |
| Population | ~595,000 individuals | ~5,500-7,000 pairs |
| Diet | Fish, Squid, Krill | Squid, Crustaceans, Small fish |
| Habitat | Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline | Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, Dense vegetation |
| Regions | Antarctica | New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island |
| Genus | Aptenodytes | Eudyptes |
Conservation Status
Emperor Penguin
Near ThreatenedFiordland Penguin
VulnerableScientific 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 PenguinFiordland 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 PenguinFrequently 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.
