Emperor penguins are one of the "classic" penguin
species that people imagine when they hear the name. Along with
King Penguins and
Adelie penguins, they are representative of the whole group.
Emperor penguins have the upright and regal bearing that
their name suggests. They take the dinner-jacketed formality of all
penguins to its highest level and though they are able to be as awkward,
gawky and get as dirty as other penguins, when they shake it all off
and stand up to regain their dignity, there are few if any more stately
and elegant animals on earth.
Photograph by: Josh Landis
National Science Foundation