Emperor Penguin

The emperor penguin is the largest of all penguin species, standing up to 1.2 meters tall and weighing up to 45 kilograms. As the most prominent species in Birdland, emperor penguins have played a central role in the nation's founding, governance, and cultural identity since the earliest recorded history of the continent.

Role in Birdland

Emperor penguins have historically held the most significant political positions in Birdland, including the presidency. Their large colony sizes, cooperative breeding behavior, and natural leadership during the extreme Antarctic winter have made them a cornerstone of the nation's social structure.

Biology and Behavior

Emperors are the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter. Males famously incubate a single egg on their feet through temperatures as low as -60 degrees Celsius and winds exceeding 200 km/h, while females make the long trek to the sea to feed.

Conservation in Birdland

Thanks to the nation's aggressive conservation policies, emperor penguin populations within Birdland are classified as "Recovering" -- the most positive domestic conservation status. The 2026 census recorded approximately 2.4 million individuals, the highest count in over four decades.