Home›Species›Taxonomy›SphenisciformesTaxaSphenisciformesBird OrdersReference and ClassificationThoroughly VerifiedThe penguins: flightless, aquatic birds with wings modified into rigid flippers used for swimming rather than flight, a thick layer of insulating fat, and dense, waterproof feathers, confined almost entirely to the Southern Hemisphere.FactsSphenisciformesConnectionsIn the Other AtlasesSourcesComments (0)Reader Challenges (0)FactsDisputedMember Species/Taxa CountScholarly debate18 2Approximate described-species (or, for a genus, described-taxon) count; continually revised as species are newly described, reclassified or synonymized.Taxonomic RankWell-attestedOrder 2Scientific NameWell-attestedSphenisciformes 2ClassificationLiving or ExtinctWell-attestedYes 1SphenisciformesFilter Results6 entriesCommon GroupAllPenguins And Seabirds (6)HabitatAllIce Sheet (1)Marine (3)Polar Desert (1)Tundra (2)Conservation StatusAllEndangered (1)Extinct (1)Least Concern (3)Near Threatened (1)EcosystemAllAntarctic Peninsula (3)Fiordland (1)Ross Sea (1)Everyday GroupAllPenguins And Seabirds (6)DietAllCarnivore (1)Piscivore (4)Population TrendAllStable (1)System (Realm)AllMarine (4)Terrestrial (5)Relationship to PeopleAllEcotourism and Research (1)Hunted or Fished (3)Living or ExtinctAllYes (5)Where It LivesAllAntarctica (2)Argentina (1)Australasia (1)Australia (2)Brazil (1)New Zealand (5)Norway (5)South America (1)Uruguay (1)Show ResultsBrowseCompareSelect all 6Adelie PenguinSphenisciformesEmperor PenguinSphenisciformesFiordland Crested PenguinSphenisciformesGentoo PenguinSphenisciformesIcadyptesSphenisciformesKing PenguinSphenisciformesConnectionsChild Taxon OfAves, Taxa Well-attested Source Catalogue of LifeParent Taxon OfAdelie Penguin, Species Well-attested Source Catalogue of LifeEmperor Penguin, Species Well-attested Source Catalogue of LifeFiordland Crested Penguin, Species Well-attested Source Catalogue of LifeGentoo Penguin, Species Well-attested Source Catalogue of LifeIcadyptes, Species Well-attested Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Icadyptes salasiKing Penguin, Species Well-attested Source Catalogue of LifeIn the Other AtlasesFound InBrazilAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.Sources1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)tier 2Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ12198609, descriptionView the Source2. Catalogue of LifeSpecies 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeView the SourceWikidata: SphenisciformesWikidata Q9147, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the SourceGBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Icadyptes salasiGBIF Backbone TaxonomyParent Taxon Of: Icadyptes, Taxon recordQuote, Parent Taxon Of: Icadyptes, Taxon record"order": "Sphenisciformes"View the SourceAnimal Diversity Web: Sphenisciformes (penguins)Animal Diversity WebIn Group: Waterbird Orders, Order accountQuote, In Group: Waterbird Orders, Order accountPenguins dive well and use their flippers to swim underwater in pursuit of prey items.View the SourceComments (0)No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.Sign in to join the discussion.Reader Challenges (0)No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.