What is the fastest penguin?
The gentoo penguin is the fastest swimming penguin species, capable of reaching speeds up to 36 km/h (22 mph) in the water. This makes them not only the fastest penguin but one of the fastest swimming birds in the world. Their speed is aided by their streamlined body shape and a proportionally larger tail than other penguin species, which helps with steering at high speeds. On land, the fastest penguin runners are generally the smaller species — little blue penguins can manage a surprisingly quick shuffle when motivated, though no penguin would win a land-speed contest.
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Reference bodies behind our comparison answers. Links last checked August 5, 2026.
- IUCN Red List - Global conservation assessments and extinction-risk categories.
- BirdLife Data Zone - Species accounts, distribution, and population summaries.
- Smithsonian Ocean Portal - Penguin biology, anatomy, and breeding explainers.