Emperor Penguin vs Long-billed Starthroat

Aptenodytes forsteri compared with Heliomaster longirostris

Key Differences

• Emperor Penguin is Near Threatened while Long-billed Starthroat is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Emperor Penguin	Long-billed Starthroat
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Sphenisciformes (Penguins)	Apodiformes (Apodiformes)
Family	Spheniscidae (Penguins)	Trochilidae
Genus	Aptenodytes (Great Penguins)	Heliomaster
Species	Aptenodytes forsteri	Heliomaster longirostris

Evolutionary Relationship

Emperor Penguin and Long-billed Starthroat share a common ancestor at the Class level: Aves. (Birds)

Conservation Status

Emperor Penguin

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~595.0K

Trend: Stable →

Long-billed Starthroat

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Emperor Penguin	Long-billed Starthroat
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	20 years	—
Average Length	1.1 m	—
Average Weight	40.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Emperor Penguin

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Long-billed Starthroat

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, Norway, and Venezuela.

Emperor Penguin

The world's largest penguin, emperor penguins stand up to 1.2 meters and weigh 45 kg, inhabiting the Antarctic continent in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. They breed in midwinter darkness at temperatures below -60°C, with males incubating single eggs on their feet under a brood pouch for 65 days while females are at sea. Their huddling behavior — cycling individuals through the warm center of thousands-strong groups — is a masterclass in cooperative survival.

Long-billed Starthroat

A large, distinctive hummingbird with an unusually long, straight bill, males display a striking iridescent green gorget with a prominent white post-ocular spot — the starthroat mark that names the species. Found from Mexico through Central America and into tropical South America east of the Andes at elevations up to 1,500 meters. They inhabit forest edges, clearings, and gardens, perching conspicuously on exposed branches at the tops of trees — unusual for hummingbirds that typically forage while hovering.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway