Original subtitles

The emperor penguin.

The biggest...

..and the most iconic...

..of a remarkable family.

For many of us, this is how we picture penguins.

But these birds are full of surprises.

One family.

18 different faces.

More diverse than you ever imagined.

Making use of extraordinary adaptations...

..and innovative abilities...

..they've conquered some of the most extreme places on Earth.

And for the first time...

..you and I are going to meet every single species

in this incredible family...

MAN CHUCKLES

..to discover what makes penguins so remarkable.

PENGUINS VOCALISE

The forests of New Zealand.

Not the first place you'd expect to see a penguin.

But here, amongst the trees...

..lives the Snares penguin.

They almost seem out of place.

But, in fact, it was here that penguins first evolved

over 60 million years ago.

And there are now more species of penguins in New Zealand

than any other country on Earth.

60,000 penguins have made this forest their home.

It's a maze of twists and turns.

But this well-trodden path leads them to a secret hideaway.

This is just one of the many forest clearings

where the penguins come to nest.

With no native land predators, New Zealand has always offered

these flightless sea birds a sanctuary.

A safe haven for rearing their young.

But there is one big disadvantage to forest living.

Mud.

Thousands of tiny webbed feet turn the damp ground

into a veritable quagmire.

This doesn't just result in a grubby appearance -

it could threaten their lives.

A penguin's feathers are crucial for waterproofing

and insulation out at sea.

If they're clogged with mud,

penguins can't regulate their body temperature

and could die from the cold.

But the Snares have found a solution.

It's time for a trip to the penguin baths.

After a thorough rinse,

the penguins spread a very special wax through their feathers.

Produced in a gland at the base of the tail,

it creates a waterproof barrier that insulates and streamlines.

The wax is also antimicrobial,

deterring unwanted germs.

For some penguins, this process can take up to three hours a day.

But it's a price worth paying for their forest sanctuary.

Penguins can be found in unexpected places.

And perhaps nowhere is more surprising than this one.

Here, penguins have found a way to survive the usual sweltering heat

of the equator.

They're one of the smallest members of the family,

standing at just 50cm.

The Galapagos penguins.

These remote volcanic islands may seem harsh and unforgiving.

But the inlets and coves offer a haven,

and not just for penguins.

With few land predators,

the rocky shores provide ample nesting sites

and shelter from the sun.

Lava tubes crisscross the islands.

It's the perfect place to escape the midday heat...

..and raise young.

CHICKS PEEP

There are other advantages, too.

Even though these islands are located on the equator...

..the water is much colder than you'd expect.

And it's all because of the Humboldt Current.

Travelling from over 5,000 miles away in Antarctica,

it delivers cold penguin-friendly water to these volcanic islands...

..as well as food in abundance.

It's thought that the Humboldt Current carried the penguins here

around four million years ago.

They certainly didn't fly here.

Penguins are believed to have lost that ability

60 million years ago.

Swimming is what penguins do best.

Sheltered islands, cool waters

and a rich stream of food allows the Galapagos penguin

to live further north than any other.

It might seem like an unusual home for them,

but penguins are excellent at pushing boundaries.

Cape Town is home to 4.6 million people...

..and 3,000 penguins.

This is the African penguin.

When they've had enough of posing for the cameras...

SHE EXCLAIMS

HE CHUCKLES

..they head for an unexpected retreat.

VEHICLE HORNS BLARE

This female has secured herself a perfect nesting spot

in a residential garden.

TRAFFIC RUMBLES

The road outside can get noisy,

but she doesn't seem to mind.

The traffic keeps predators at bay.

She's hungry, but she must wait for her mate to return

or risk losing the nest to another penguin.

And he's just started his journey home.

We might be more used to seeing penguins hopping up rocks...

..but steps can be much more convenient.

It's rush hour in the city, and to get back to the nest,

he joins the rest of Cape Town's commuters.

VEHICLE HORNS BLARE

Travelling with a group keeps him safer

on the busy roads and pathways.

HORNS BLARE AND ENGINES RUMBLE

TRAFFIC ZOOMS PAST

VEHICLE HORNS HONK

The hectic traffic separates the pack.

A recent study has revealed that African penguins

have a complex vocal repertoire, similar to that of humans.

And the group can recognise individual calls.

PENGUIN CALLS

But it's hard to be heard over the noise of rush-hour traffic.

TRUCK HORN BLARES

He needs to wait it out.

His mate will have to be patient.

He's going to be late again.

Time to make a move.

PENGUINS VOCALISE

With eyes adapted to the depths of the ocean,

these dark streets don't pose a problem.

His black feathers, on the other hand,

are less useful.

TYRES SCREECH

CAR HORN BLARES

He needs to keep a sharp lookout for distracted drivers.

He's almost home.

PENGUIN CALLS

African penguins have changed their behaviours to adapt

to the modern world.

This pair have chosen a back-street garden as a suitable nesting site.

PENGUIN CALLS

And finding a safe place to raise young is a top priority

for all penguins.

But one species has gone to even greater lengths.

PENGUINS CALL

These are Adelies.

And this is the longest penguin migration on Earth.

Adelies don't lay their eggs on ice,

so these males have travelled 8,000 miles to reach

an area of Antarctica with bare rock.

99% of them return to the same nests each year.

But after a harsh winter,

the entire breeding ground is in need of renovation.

And time is of the essence.

The males have just days before their partners return.

No other penguin in the family puts as much effort

into building its nest.

And this conscientious male takes his time selecting

the perfect pebbles.

Finding stones that are just right isn't easy...

..so some sneaky individuals have found a short cut.

This poor male seems unaware that his hard work

is being undermined.

The thief's nest, however,

is coming along very nicely.

He clearly knows to keep a sharp lookout for raiders.

PENGUIN VOCALISES

A few days later, the penguins have finished their renovations.

And with the females arriving,

it's just in the nick of time.

These couples haven't seen each other for nine months.

PENGUINS VOCALISE

And whether through hard graft or thievery,

the newly renovated nests seem to have impressed.

There are no rocks available for Humboldt penguins

to build their nests.

And you might be a little put off to learn what they use instead.

So many sea birds live in this part of Peru

that the coastline is covered in a thick pile of droppings.

The resourceful Humboldts mould them into perfect nests.

It's a messy business.

But for the Humboldt, it's home sweet home.

Penguins are certainly imaginative nest-builders.

They're also devoted parents.

And no penguins demonstrate this better than the rockhoppers.

This male stands guard over his newly hatched and hungry chick.

He has nothing left to feed him.

And if Mum doesn't get back soon,

the chick will starve.

She's been out fishing for several days

and is on her way back.

But there's a huge challenge ahead.

The rough sea crashing on this jagged coastline is treacherous.

And a huge male sea lion 100 times her size

is on the hunt for food.

In such immense waves, strong chest and back muscles

help her to withstand the impact.

Each step is hard-won.

And worse is to come.

Any loss will have dire consequences for a family.

Mum and the others battle on,

using their muscular flippers to propel themselves out of his way.

She's almost there.

SEA LION GRUNTS

Safely back on solid ground.

And now she does what all rockhoppers do best.

She hops all the way back home.

She makes it look easy.

The youngsters will get there eventually.

After an arduous climb for over a mile,

and out of reach of even the most tenacious sea lion,

she makes it home.

PENGUINS VOCALISE

And at last, her chick gets a meal.

Over the next two months,

these devoted parents pull out all the stops to ensure

their youngster's survival...

..with Dad starving himself to protect the chick...

..and Mum risking the waves and the sea lions...

..again and again.

Penguins are incredibly dedicated parents,

going to extraordinary lengths to protect their chicks.

But penguin chicks aren't always as helpless as they seem.

Antarctica is the coldest

and windiest continent on Earth.

WIND HOWLS

The largest member of the penguin family chooses

to breed here regardless.

Emperor chicks are the only offspring to be born

in the Antarctic winter.

And with a wind-chill of -50 degrees Celsius,

to survive here, they have to be tough.

Special brooding pouches have provided months of shelter

from the bitter winds.

The chicks may look vulnerable...

..but they have special adaptations of their own to stay warm.

Feathery ankles keep out the biting cold.

CHICK PEEPS

And the fat-rich food they're fed

allows them to build up a thick layer of blubber.

Some chicks...

..are fatter than others.

Blubber is vital for keeping warm,

but thinner chicks have an incredible adaptation

that helps to keep them alive.

Scientists have discovered that the cells of the chicks

who eat less actually work more efficiently,

helping them to conserve more heat, even on the coldest days.

So, chubby or not, these remarkable chicks

are built to survive here.

Emperor and king penguins are the only birds on Earth

to incubate the egg on their feet.

But once hatched, they can't stay there forever.

And today, this chick must venture out on to the freezing ice alone.

With a little encouragement from Dad...

..he takes his first steps on to the snow.

His feet are perfectly adapted to the terrain,

with special fats to keep them from freezing

and strong claws to grip the ice.

Dad keeps a close eye,

but these first solo explorations

are so important for this chick's eventual independence.

The chick is naturally curious of this new world.

Being able to make new friends

will be crucial to a successful life in the colony.

But it can be dangerous to stray too far from Dad.

So strong is the parental urge to raise a chick

that these adults, who have lost their chicks in the bitter storms,

try to kidnap others.

Desperation can turn to violence.

PENGUINS VOCALISE

This chick has had a lucky escape.

WIND WHISTLES

The volatile Antarctic weather can change in an instant.

And a chick can easily get lost out there.

Despite its cold weather adaptations,

this chick isn't quite ready for complete independence.

Without its insulating adult feathers

and the warmth of its parents, it will perish.

The chick's call is as unique as a fingerprint.

CHICK CALLS

WIND WHISTLES

Even from a distance,

through howling winds...

..Dad recognises it.

CHICK PEEPS

That's enough excitement for one day.

Penguins are especially successful

because of their ability to live in a colony...

..creating some of the largest bird gatherings on Earth.

Over a million royal penguins gather on

the Pacific Ocean's Macquarie Island.

Having spent months out in the open ocean,

the cramped conditions can be challenging at first.

PENGUINS VOCALISE

But there is safety in numbers.

And across the Antarctic region,

24 million macaronis live in close-knit colonies...

..the most numerous of any penguin species.

They gather chicks together into creches to keep them safe.

Such dedicated parenting has enabled penguins to thrive

in large numbers...

..and their unique biology has seen them conquer

the Southern Ocean and beyond.

This is the fastest penguin on the planet.

The Gentoo.

Here in the Falkland Islands, lobster krill occur in swarms.

For the Gentoo...

..it's a favourite feast.

Reaching speeds of 22mph...

..diving as deep as 200 metres...

..and holding their breath for up to seven minutes,

they've evolved to become supreme aquatic athletes.

Bellies full, they head for shore.

And now their skills are really put to the test.

A southern sea lion.

The penguins' streamlined bodies allow them to shoot

out of the water.

A trick known as porpoising, thought to confuse predators.

Short feet act like rudders, catapulting them into the air.

And fused muscular flippers allow them to make sharp turns.

Sea lions are extremely adept in the water,

but they can't quite compete with the Gentoo's agility.

On land, however, the penguins' advantage is lost.

The Gentoo's only chance is to get back to the sea.

It's made it.

The Fjordland penguin uses its streamlined body

for another purpose...

..to zip up the narrow streams and rivers of New Zealand.

A perfect short cut to safe nesting grounds

deep in the forest.

Penguins are supremely adapted to an aquatic life,

spending 75% of their lives in the water.

But all penguins have to walk on land at some point.

And to get around, they've developed a remarkable technique.

This is the chinstrap penguin.

It makes its home on some of the most hostile islands

of the Southern Ocean.

Active volcanoes here warm the ground...

..melting the snow early in the year.

Trouble is, the best spots are far from the sea.

To get there means a very long walk.

The tough hike is made easier by the infamous penguin waddle.

This unusual style of locomotion may look inefficient,

but surprisingly, it works in their favour.

Like a pendulum, the side-to-side motion stores energy

at the end of each movement.

Energy that can be used in the next step.

We humans get 65% of the energy back with each step...

..but penguins can get up to 80%.

So the waddle is more efficient than our own walk...

..which means they can walk further for longer.

And when it comes to a cliff face covered in slippery volcanic ash...

..the penguin's strong feet and hooked beak

pull and push it upwards.

A bird built for life at sea has mastered the land.

Now, all this dad has to do is find his family...

..amongst a million others.

Another secret to the penguin's success is its feathers.

But only if they're kept in perfect condition.

A yearly process of regeneration is crucial,

and king penguins take this very seriously indeed.

Months of battering by the Southern Ocean have taken their toll

on the king's feathers.

And now in south Georgia, thousands are coming ashore

for an essential makeover.

But first, they have to get past this pile of blubber.

The colony at last.

The great transformation can begin...

..starting with a really good scratch.

Small, stiff feathers, tightly packed over soft down,

have given this penguin a blanket of insulation.

But he must now shed all four layers,

a process known as the catastrophic moult.

Shedding thousands of feathers is a tedious process,

but every penguin must do it once a year.

The longer it takes, the longer he'll have to go without food.

A true trial of endurance.

But after a long month...

..he is the image of perfection.

Like a new winter coat, his feathers are restored.

And he doesn't waste any time testing it out.

A long-awaited meal is in store.

Over millions of years, penguins have evolved to master life on land

and at sea, to become superb parents

and to conquer forests,

deserts and even cities.

But we humans are changing the planet faster than ever before

and some penguins are struggling to keep up.

The smallest penguin in the world -

the aptly named little penguin -

has lived on Australia's beaches

for 2.4 million years.

But due to the introduction of cats and foxes in the last 200 years,

they're now at risk of extinction.

On New Zealand's South Island,

yellow-eyed penguins used to be hunted for food.

More recently, habitat loss and alien predators

have decimated their numbers, leaving just 2,000 pairs.

On the east coast of Patagonia

lives another colony of penguins in serious decline.

The Magellanic penguin makes its home in the scorching desert.

Every few years, this colony suffers a dramatic loss of chicks.

As many as 60% will die in one season and no-one knows why.

Now a group of scientists from Swansea University

are on a mission to find out.

They believe the problem may lie in what they're eating out at sea.

But how do you keep up with fast-swimming, deep-diving penguins

out there?

The answer is cameras.

Streamlined and super light,

they're carefully attached, and in a matter of minutes,

the parents are returned to their chicks,

entirely unfazed by their mini backpacks.

Penguins spend the majority of their time at sea,

but it's the part of their lives we know the least about.

So this technology is ground-breaking.

New research has revealed

that penguins have a powerful sense of smell,

and it's thought that this is the main way

in which they track down their prey.

The cameras show the Magellanics travelling as far as 200 miles

and diving up to 400 times on each fishing trip.

Each dive uses up energy -

energy they need to make it back to their hungry chicks.

Which is why what happens next is so unexpected.

This penguin comes across perfectly good prey...

..but chooses to ignore it.

Time and time again,

it swims past shrimp,

squid and lobster krill -

all viable penguin food.

It seems to be searching for something else.

Anchovies.

Rich in oil. A penguin superfood.

They are the most nutritious prey Magellanics can feed their chicks

and this footage proves that the penguins actively seek them out.

But anchovies are heavily fished for human consumption.

And now scientists believe that overfishing is the main cause

of chick mortality.

Without access to the most nutritious food,

the chicks are just not surviving.

With this vital information,

scientists can now influence policymakers

to set sustainable fishing quotas

and help to secure the Magellanics' future.

Of all the penguin species,

the least known is the erect-crested penguin.

It lives so remotely in the South Pacific

that few people have ever seen it, let alone studied it.

So if the species is in decline,

we might not know until it's too late.

And the 18th and final penguin in the family

could disappear before anyone has had a chance to save it.

Even the iconic emperor penguin is in trouble.

Up to 20% of them could disappear in the next century

as a result of receding sea ice.

But it's not all bad news.

Technology is giving us new insights.

The very fact that emperors live so remotely

has, historically, made them incredibly hard to monitor.

Until now.

Over 400 miles above us,

satellites continually capture images of the Earth.

Images so detailed

that scientists are making some startling discoveries.

From space, Antarctica is a great expanse of white.

Except for these strange brown patches dotted across the ice.

Brown patches...

..of penguin droppings.

Emperor colonies 10,000-birds strong

leave a mess behind them.

As the ground beneath them gets dirtier,

they migrate across the ice to fresh, clean snow.

And as they do, they leave a trail behind them.

From space, a penguin colony would be difficult to spot.

But the marks they leave behind stand out.

So, without even stepping foot on Antarctica,

scientists are discovering new populations of emperor penguins.

And they can even determine the size of the colony

from the dimensions of these trails.

37 new colonies have been found in this way,

more than doubling the known global population of the species.

With each new colony discovered, there is hope.

From the forests of their ancestral home in New Zealand

to the equator and back...

..the penguin family's story is one of resilience and adaptation.

It's easy to see

why they're one of the most beloved animal families on Earth.