Spec Penguins -

(Text thanks to Emile Spenacodon.deviantart.com)

A selection of neodinosaurian penguins of Specworld, described clockwise from top.

Gordon-pyms (Frigiornis poei) are common denizens of the Antarctic ice fields. Nesting in large groups, their eerie calls of “tekeli-li-li-li” are a regular and disconcerting feature of the glaciers and snowdrifts. The enlarged, hook-like lower bill of a gordon-pym is used for interspecies display and fights, in which the bills are locked together like fighting salmon.

The sawnoffs, which include the Antarctic sawnoff (Serratopinguis australis) pictured here and the sam-sawnoff (Serratopinguis lindsayi) are widespread primitive penguins. Found throughout the southern hemisphere, these feathered fur seals are generalist divers and fish-eaters. Serrations on the bill are a distinguishing feature of the type, and allow better grip on slippery fish. Sponges are also taken, including the sea pudding sponge (Saccharoporifera insolita) which is nibbled in small pieces by the penguins as a delicacy, always allowing it to grow back for later eating. Sawnoffs gather in enormous rookeries to mate and rear their chicks; any intruders are seen off with loud jabbering and “flipper-flapping” (smacking the opening soundly with the broad edge of a flipper).

Stripebill croffins (Kronospheniscus pardorhynchus) are among the largest “classical” penguins, and also among the least-known. These majestic loners lead a mysterious life cruising the open sea, meeting with others of their kind only during the mating season – which itself is a subdued, two-penguin affair. Croffins are known to be fast swimmers and deep divers, a conclusion reached after countless failed expeditions to thoroughly research them. Stomach-content analysis indicates them to be voracious predators, feeding upon anything small enough to be torn apart and swallowed.

Barred cobblepots (Rotundytes kanei) range as far north as New Zealand and Australia. These large penguins have few sea-based predators as they nest well inland; however, they are still exposed to predatory birds and mammals on the coast. When threatened, they raise the feathers around their head to form a sort of “frill” or “umbrella” to appear more intimidating.

The little streakbeak (Bigarrhynchus minutus) fills the position of the Adelie penguin. Ranging widely over the shores of the Southern continent, these small penguins feed on fish and krill and are themselves prey to mortipinguids and other large predators. The brightly-colored and striped bill is for display, and also elicits beak-tapping from the penguin hatchlings (an important stimulus for food regurgitation). Streakbeaks are an abundant and good source of food for marooned Antarctic spexplorers.

A massive, Gastornis-like beak is the bill of fare for the smasher (Destructorhynchus truncatus). Armed with such a bill and mighty jaw muscles to go with it, smashers are equipped to deal with the toughest of shellfish. They will eat armored animals that most other predators would shun, and indifferently cracks the shells of crustaceans, bivalves, and any shellfish unfortunate enough to be in its way. Smashers have been known to crunch through thin layers of rock to get at the piddocks hidden inside. The bill can also double as a fine defensive weapon.

Tw’izurs (Fistulornis aequorus) are delicate feeders, the gourmets of the penguin world. While not as specialized as forceps-birds, they can use their extended, slender bill to probe in the mud for worms, select the choicest limpets off rocks, and snatch fish from a baitball with ease. Colonies of tw’izurs can be found on Patagonia, associating with anatolutrids and waldos without competing for prey.

Robber penguins (Mcgrawpinguis parki) are small and otherwise typical penguins. Their main claim to fame is their irrepressible tendency to steal the eggs of neighboring penguins during the mating season. Pairs of robber penguins will charge into a penguin rookery and attempt to cause maximum chaos in minimum time, and steal as many eggs or chicks as possible. These “spoils” are taken off to feed their own chicks, or to toy idly with for hours. Sometimes robber penguins seem to steal for the sheer pleasure of stealing. They have been known to pinch bright and shiny objects from campsites, including one expensive diamond ring (the whereabouts of which is still unknown).

The spatengula (Clypeorhynchus obsoletus) is arguably the oddest penguin, with its flattened ducklike bill and spotted coat. Spatengulas are actually specialized bottom-feeders, using the broad tip of their beak to aid in exploring the benthic sand and ooze for prey. Once prey – be it crab, worm, octopus or shellfish – is detected, the great spatula rapidly snatches it before the prey item can react. While spatengulas may appear comical in appearance as well as in sound (their loud “GURK!” does nothing for their reputation), they are excellent divers and stolid nest-defenders, even in the face of southern foulmars and mortipinguids.

Lasagna penguins (Pastapinnis durophagus) are likely to be close relatives of smashers. These heavy-billed, stout-bodied penguins ply the Straits of Magellan in search of mollusks and crustaceans, which are easily dispatched with the strong bill. The name is derived from the bright-yellow feathers dangling on either side of the head. Found in both sexes, they are important display structures.

Archer penguins (Isurornis acer) are nimble, agile-swimming penguins that make a living of pursuing large shoals of fish, bulletting into them and re-emerging with their beaks loaded. They are essentially precision hunter, occasionally gleaning worms and small animals from lower depths. Archers have been known to work in teams, with some penguins diverting the school of fish towards the other penguins.

The gwyn (Albacirra dyeri) is the southernmost species of spec-penguin, breeding too far inland for the penguins of DEATH!!! and other predators to be a nuisance. Immaculate white feathers, coupled with a haunting, musical call, give gwyns an otherworldly beauty to them, especially during the dawn and evening choruses produced by rookeries. This said beauty is marred by their tendencies towards cannibalizing rival chicks and pecking nosy explorers with their deceptively sharp beaks.

Ogremaws (Ogrornis truncatus), despite their basically durophagous adaptations, are quite satisfied eating anything edible. Ranging quite far north for a penguin, they have been known to heave themselves ashore to feed on seabird and turtle eggs. Out at sea, their heavy, spiked bills make short work of clams, krill, fish, young sharks, squid, and miscellaneous detritus. Despite the formidable beak, they are actually quite docile, placid, and slow-moving.

The forceps-bird (Forficornis pictops) is the culmination of spheniscid worm-eaters. Its long, thin, delicate beak is dedicated to probing in the mud to unearth a banquet of worms and tunicates that would otherwise be hidden from other penguins. Forceps-birds cannot stand up to an attacker, but they make up for that with their breathtaking underwater speed. The long bill may also be an adaptation to fast-swimming, as with swordfish. During the mating season, males develop a spectacular, colorful array of striped face-feathers which serve in display and attracting mates.