Macaroni penguins, Drake Passage, Chile Jan. 20, 2024

Let"s flap our flippers and delve into knowing a bit more about penguins. How many kinds of penguins can you name? Today"s snapshot features agile macaroni penguins swimming in the plankton-rich waters of the Drake Passage in Chile. These charming creatures are just one of 18 species of penguins found in the Southern Hemisphere and can be recognised by their peculiar amber crests and prominent orange beak. Macaroni penguins gather in foraging groups, but males can be aggressive towards each other. To show passivity and avoid a fight, individuals often ease through colonies with their heads tucked down to their chests. Despite being beloved by us humans, penguins are threatened by reduced food availability, errant fishing nets and the profound impact of climate change on their habitat, sea ice.

© Paul Souders/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Come on, guys, this way!
Jan. 20, 2026Penguin Awareness Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec. 12, 2023Poinsettia Day
Feb. 16, 2025Happy World Whale Day!
Tomb of the Golden Pharaoh
Celebrating Canada and Englands common bond
The ‘eighth wonder?’
Trails leading to the gateway of nature.
Incan ingenuity
Oct. 23, 2024Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire, United States
Dec. 25, 2023Christmas Day
Nov. 22, 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Jun. 27, 2025Splendid leaf frog
Dec. 4, 2024Wildlife Conservation Day
Dec. 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Jan. 7, 2024Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Australia
Leaf-peeping Southern style
An old bridge in a new light
A dramatic celebration of peace
Jun. 21, 2024National Indigenous Peoples Day
Feb. 20, 2026Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Oct. 17, 2023Vieste, Apulia, Italy
May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
Jun. 1, 2024Pride Month
Sep. 21, 2025Sea Otter Awareness Week
Pearl among the emeralds
Sep. 20, 2025Oktoberfest begins!
Apr. 30, 2025International Jazz Day
Jul. 26, 2024Summer Olympics begin in Paris
Blue as far as the eye can see
Apr. 10, 2024Siblings Day
Jul. 16, 2024Dinosaur Provincial Park