Emperor Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Emperor Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Emperor Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
22-45 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | Emperor Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Aptenodytes forsteri | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 100-130 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 22-45 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~595,000 individuals | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Fish, Squid, Krill | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | Antarctica | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Aptenodytes | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
Emperor Penguin
Near ThreatenedYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
Emperor Penguin
100-130 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
Emperor Penguin
22-45 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
Emperor Penguin
15-20 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
Emperor Penguin
~595,000 individuals
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
Emperor Penguin
Fish, Squid, Krill
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Emperor Penguin
Antarctic sea ice, Antarctic coastline
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
Emperor Penguin
Antarctica
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
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 PenguinYellow-eyed Penguin
Known as Hoiho ('noise shouter') in Māori, this large, pale-faced penguin endemic to New Zealand is one of the world's rarest, unique among penguins for being largely solitary and nesting out of sight of others.
Learn more about Yellow-eyed PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Emperor Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is larger, standing up to 130cm tall compared to the Yellow-eyed Penguin's 79cm.
Which is more endangered, Emperor Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Emperor Penguin is classified as "Near Threatened" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do Emperor Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
Emperor Penguins are found in Antarctica. Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.