Which penguin species breeds during the Antarctic winter?

The emperor penguin is the penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter.

Its breeding cycle begins in March or April, when adults travel across sea ice to colonies. The female lays a single egg and transfers it to the male, who balances it on his feet beneath a warm brood pouch. He incubates it for roughly two months while fasting through the darkest, coldest part of the year.

This timing is unusual because most birds avoid breeding during winter. Emperor penguins instead schedule hatching for the Antarctic summer, when returning adults can find more open water and food for their chick. Both parents later alternate between feeding at sea and guarding the young.

The emperor is often confused with the king penguin, its closest living relative. Kings also breed in subantarctic regions, but their breeding cycle is not tied to the Antarctic winter in the same way. Emperor penguins are also the largest and heaviest living penguins.