Penguins

/ˈpɛŋɡwɪnz/ noun

Definition

Flightless birds from the Southern Hemisphere that swim excellently and waddle on land, with black and white feathers.

Etymology

Origin unclear; possibly from Welsh 'pen' (head) + 'gwyn' (white), describing their white-headed appearance. First used for these birds by European explorers.

Kelly Says

Penguins are more closely related to flying seabirds than to other flightless birds—their 'wings' evolved into flippers, making them the fastest swimmers of any bird. A penguin colony can contain 1.5 million birds, and they can hold their breath for 22 minutes.

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