Emperor Penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
NTNear Threatened
Range: breeds in scattered colonies on Antarctic continent edge and up to 200 km from open sea; ranges Antarctic seas to edge of ice pack and beyond, juveniles dispersing most widely
Best months to see it
- JanJanuary: Poor or no data
- FebFebruary: Poor or no data
- MarMarch: Poor or no data
- AprApril: Poor or no data
- MayMay: Poor or no data
- JunJune: Poor or no data
- JulJuly: Poor or no data
- AugAugust: Poor or no data
- SepSeptember: Poor or no data
- OctOctober: Best
- NovNovember: Best
- DecDecember: Poor or no data
BestGoodFair
Reliable places
- Snow Hill Island, Weddell Sea (Oct–Nov, icebreaker trips)
Destination guides that feature it
Antarctica
Snow Hill Island
An Emperor Penguin colony reached by icebreaker and helicopter.
- JJanuary: Poor or no data
- FFebruary: Poor or no data
- MMarch: Poor or no data
- AApril: Poor or no data
- MMay: Poor or no data
- JJune: Poor or no data
- JJuly: Poor or no data
- AAugust: Poor or no data
- SSeptember: Poor or no data
- OOctober: Best
- NNovember: Best
- DDecember: Good
Antarctica
Ross Sea
The most remote Antarctic cruise: Adélie colonies and historic huts.
- JJanuary: Best
- FFebruary: Best
- MMarch: Poor or no data
- AApril: Poor or no data
- MMay: Poor or no data
- JJune: Poor or no data
- JJuly: Poor or no data
- AAugust: Poor or no data
- SSeptember: Poor or no data
- OOctober: Poor or no data
- NNovember: Poor or no data
- DDecember: Poor or no data
Countries to plan around
Countries where the species is endemic or among the most frequently recorded birds. Check eBird for recent local sightings before you travel.