How many feathers cover an emperor penguin’s body, approximately?

An emperor penguin has approximately 80,000 feathers covering its body.

Penguin feathers are short, stiff and densely packed, forming an insulating outer layer that helps keep cold water away from the skin. Emperor penguins also have a substantial layer of body fat, especially important during their long Antarctic breeding fast.

Unlike the large flight feathers of flying birds, penguin feathers are adapted for swimming. Their wings have evolved into flippers, and their compact plumage creates a smooth, streamlined surface in the water. Penguins replace their feathers during an annual catastrophic moult.

The figure is an approximation rather than an exact count for every bird. Feather number varies with body size and counting method. The dense plumage is one reason penguins can remain active in frigid seas, but it does not make them capable of flight.