Penguins
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Modern Penguins

The number of extant penguin species is debated. Depending on which authority is followed, penguin biodiversity varies between 17 and 20 living species, all in the subfamily Spheniscinae.

Modern penguins - Subfamily Spheniscinae

  • Aptenodytes – Great penguins
    • King Penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
    • Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri
  • Pygoscelis – Brush-tailed penguins
    • Adélie Penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae
    • Chinstrap Penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica
    • Gentoo Penguin, Pygoscelis papua
  • Eudyptula – Little penguins
    • Little Blue Penguin, Eudyptula minor
    • White-flippered Penguin, Eudyptula albosignata (provisional)
  • Spheniscus – Banded penguins
    • Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus
    • Humboldt Penguin, Spheniscus humboldti
    • Galapagos Penguin, Spheniscus mendiculus
    • African Penguin, Spheniscus demersus
  • Megadyptes
    • Yellow-eyed Penguin, Megadyptes antipodes
    • Waitaha Penguin, Megadyptes waitaha (extinct)
  • Eudyptes – Crested penguins
    • Fiordland Penguin, Eudyptes pachyrynchus
    • Snares Penguin, Eudyptes robustus
    • Erect-crested Penguin, Eudyptes sclateri
    • Western Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome
    • Eastern Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes filholi
    • Northern Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes moseleyi
    • Royal Penguin, Eudyptes schlegeli (disputed)
    • Macaroni Penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus
    • Chatham Islands Penguin, Eudyptes sp. (extinct)

About one in 50,000 penguins (of most species) are born with brown rather than black plumage. These are called isabelline penguins, possibly in reference to the legend that the archduchess Isabella of Austria vowed not to change her undergarments until her husband united the northern and southern Low Countries by taking the city of Ostend — which took three years to accomplish. Isabellinism is different from albinism. Isabelline penguins tend to live shorter lives than normal penguins, as they are not well-camouflaged against the deep, and are often passed over as mates. 

Main source: Wikipedia

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