Species of Penguins for Kids | All 18 Penguin Species | Most Recognized Species of Penguins

Penguins are unusual and adorable birds, with their entertaining antics and “fluffy” appearance. But are there different types of penguins, and what are they?
There are approximately 18 types of penguins, depending on which authority is followed. While most of these birds live in the Southern Hemisphere, one penguin type occurs in more northern regions.
Penguins come in various shapes and sizes, from gigantic emperors and kings to minute fairy penguins. While you might not know it now, penguins share several similarities; however, they also have some significant divergences.
Unfortunately, these beloved birds bear the brunt of climate change’s impacts. So to introduce these incredible bird types to you, we’ll explore the different types of penguins below and hopefully learn an interesting thing or two. Ready? Go!
A penguin is a flightless bird specially adapted to a marine lifestyle, their wings are modified flippers, and they are excellent swimmers.
There are six penguin genera and roughly 18 penguin species; however, scientists often argue over which subspecies should be a species themselves. Added together, we have (roughly) 278 different types of penguins.
Common Characteristics Of Penguins
Although there are some differences, penguins share some common features.
Penguins are flightless birds; their modified wings function as flippers, while their tails are short, stiff, and wedge-shaped. Most penguins have a black-and-white coloration.
They spend most of their time in an aquatic environment and are excellent swimmers. Penguins have powerful jaws and spiny tongues to accommodate a marine diet.
1. KING PENGUIN
Scientific name: Aptenodytes patagonicus
Genus: large
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Habitat: Subantarctic islands.
2. EMPEROR PENGUIN
Scientific name: Aptenodytes forsteri
Genus: large
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Habitat: Continental Antarctica.
3. GENTOO PENGUIN
Scientific name: Pygoscelis papua
Genus: brush-tailed
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Habitat: Antarctic Peninsula, Subantarctic islands, southern continental coasts and islands, South Atlantic islands.
4. ADÉLIE PENGUIN
Scientific name: Pygoscelis adeliae
Genus: brush-tailed
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Habitat: Continental Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula, Subantarctic islands.
5. CHINSTRAP PENGUIN
Scientific name: Pygoscelis antarcticus
Genus: brush-tailed
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Habitat: Subantarctic islands.
6. SOUTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes chrysocome
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Habitat: Subantarctic islands, South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific coasts and islands.
7. NORTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes moseleyi
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Endangered (EN)
Habitat: Subantarctic islands, South Atlantic islands.
8. FIORDLAND PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Habitat: New Zealand.
9. SNARES PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes robustus
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Habitat: New Zealand..
10. ERECT-CRESTED PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes sclateri
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Endangered (EN)
Habitat: New Zealand.
11. MACARONI PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes chrysolophus
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Habitat: Antarctic Peninsula, Subantarctic islands, South Atlantic and Indian coasts and islands.
12. ROYAL PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptes schlegeli
Genus: crested
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Habitat: Macquarie Island and nearby islands.
13. YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN
Scientific name: Megadyptes antipodes
Genus: yellow-eyed
Conservation status: Endangered (EN)
Habitat: New Zealand.
14. LITTLE PENGUIN
Scientific name: Eudyptula minor
Genus: little
Conservation status: Least Concern (LC)
Habitat: Australia and New Zealand.
15. AFRICAN PENGUIN
Scientific name: Spheniscus demersus
Genus: banded
Conservation status: Endangered (EN)
Habitat: South Africa and Namibia.
16. HUMBOLDT PENGUIN
Scientific name: Spheniscus humboldti
Genus: banded
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Habitat: Western South America.
17. MAGELLANIC PENGUIN
Scientific name: Spheniscus magellanicus
Genus: banded
Conservation status: Near Threatened (NT)
Habitat: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Falkland Islands.
18. GALAPAGOS PENGUIN
Scientific name: Spheniscus mendiculus
Genus: banded
Conservation status: Endangered (EN)
Habitat: Galapagos Islands.