Penguins †Birds that Cannot Fly Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research

Penguins – Birds that Cannot Fly Penguins are one of my favorite species of birds. They look like a bunch of men in tuxedos at the beach. Although they are considered birds, none of them are capable of flying. They live in climates and locations that range from the warm Equator to the freezing Antarctic. Penguins are so cool that they have become the stars of many television commercials. Of the seventeen species, it is the Emperor penguin that is the most interesting penguin. After all, how many fathers can go without food for two months, so that they can protect their off-spring twenty four hours a day? All penguins are found in the Southern Hemisphere and are flightless seabirds. While many people associate penguins with the cold Antarctic, only two species breed in the Antarctic. The two species that breed in the Antarctic are the Adelie and the Emperor penguin. In fact, penguins live in a wide variety of climates and locations. Among the locations that the other fifteen species inhabit are the Galapagos Islands and the coasts of Australia, South America, New Zealand, and South Africa. Interestingly, the Emperor penguin is the world's only bird that never spends one second of its life on dry land. Adult penguins range in height from approximately 16 to 48 inches, depending on the species. The Emperor penguin is the tallest of all species. Emperor penguins are also the heaviest, weighing up to 100 pounds. Most penguins can be recognized by their white breasts, black backs, and black heads, resembling a small man in a tuxedo. Some penguins have other distinguishing features such as orange, red, or yellow areas on their heads or necks. Penguins are gifted swimmers, using their wings as paddles. Their bodies are de... ...le find penguins interesting, beer companies and other advertisors have chosen to frequently use them in television commercials. There is even a hockey team named after them. Of all the seventeen species, however, it is the amazing nesting habits and parental dedication that makes the Emperor penguin the most interesting of all penguins. The Kingfisher Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animals. New York, New York: Kingfisher Books, Grisewood & Dempsey Inc., 1992: "Penguin." 238-239. Pete & Barbara's Penguin Page. 4 October 2003 Peter_and_Barbara_Barham/pengies.html>. Conway, William G. "Penguin." Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 98 Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation. CD-ROM. 1993-1997. Earth & Sky World of Science Web Page. Byrd and Block Communications. 1998. 4 October 2003 .