Penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers. Penguins live in the southern half of the world. Several kinds live on the ice of the Antarctic. There are penguin colonies in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and as far north as the Galapagos Islands, which lie almost on the equator. Penguins will not cross into the warm ocean waters from the cold Antarctic currents.
All penguins have short, thick feathers.
Their feathers on their bellies are white and the feathers on their bodies are black or bluish black. Some penguins have crests of long feathers on the sides of their heads and patches of brightly colored feathers on their necks. These flippers and webbed feet make penguins great swimmers and divers. Their short, dense feathers form a waterproof coat. Thick layers of fat keep penguins warm in the cold water.