In case you’ve missed this amazing penguins news, there’s a rare black penguin that’s been spotted recently. The now famous photo of this all black penguin (aka melanistic penguin) was taken by Andrew Evans during his trip from Washington D.C. to Antarctica. For a few weeks now there has been a bit of talk about this really cool photo. At first glance I was sure it was another Photoshop joke. However, after reading the articles there’s no doubt this penguin is genuine. How awesome is that?

“He looked like a single black king moving across a chessboard of so many white pawns.” Evans said.

The penguin was spotted at Fortuna Bay on Antarctica’s Georgia Island which is

According to the National Geographic’s article, some travelers on this trip recalled also seeing the penguin at St. Andrew’s Bay.

“It’s a one-in-a-zillion mutation, scientists say.” ~CBANews.com

All black penguin sighted by Ted Cheeseman in 2006

Nature usually takes care of animal abnormalities, so it’s been assumed that this unique penguin wouldn’t last long in the while. However, there are reports that this penguin has been spotted previously so he has obviously been around a while. Ted Cheeseman of Cheeseman Ecology Safaris shares his sighting of the all black penguin from January 2006.

What kind of penguin is this?

This is a King Penguin, and according to Evans reports, seems to be living just fine among his friends and family in the colony. He may even have a mate.

What is a Melanistic penguin?

National Geographic describes melanistic as “Melanism is merely the dark pigmentation of skin, fur–or in this case, feathers. The unique trait derives from increased melanin in the body.”.

Read the full story about the Rare All Black Penguin at National Geographic

Where is South Georgia Island?
East of South America in the Atlantic Ocean.

Black penguin spotted on South Georgia Island

More black penguin photos – hunting around the web I came across more instances of black penguins, here’s what I’ve found:

From Black penguin comments on Freerepublic.com. It looks like an Adelie Penguin to me, what do you think? I think maybe this one is simply a baby who’s white feathers haven’t developed just yet… see the white speckles on either side of its belly?

Black Adelie Penguin from Freerepublic

More comments and coverage for this story:

Story of Rare Black Penguin National Geographic

All-Black Penguin Is One-in-a-Zillion CBS News

All Black Penguin Discovered Treehugger.com

Have you seen the rare all black penguin pictures and video? is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

When it snows, this is what I do- catch snowflakes with my tongue. “Do penguins have tongues?” you might ask. Well indeed I think they do, I’ve just never seen it, have you?

Penguin catching snowflakes is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

by Infomatique on flickr

A lovely photo of a Humboldt penguin at the Dublin zoo.

Humboldt Penguin in Dublin Zoo is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

penguin photo by penguin0041
from the Monterey Bay Aquarium

He looks quite comfy, don’t you think?
Check out more penguin photos from penguin0041 – thanks for sharing!

Penguin taking a rest is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

This photo of a dancing penguin caught my eye right away. I’m not quite sure if it’s a ballerina penguin or a break dancing penguin, but either way it definitely makes me smile.

Robyn Gallagher posted this penguin image on flickr and included the comment “The penguin was so excited at being in Wellington that it did a little dance.” – Thanks for the giggle Robyn!

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Penguin doing a little dance is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

I’ve seen a number of penguin signs, but this one is new for me. I’d LOVE to take a penguin tour, where can I get my tickets?

This penguin photo is by cornstaruk on flickr

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Hop on the penguin tour! is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

This cute penguin grafitti photo was taken in Olympia Park in Munich by mdid on flickr. Just proves that even graffitti can be super cute sometimes. I love these penguins’ little round bellies!

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Even penguin grafitti can be cute is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

I love how cute the Adelie penguins are when they run, they look like they’re just about to take off and fly!

This photo is from elisfanclub on flickr where you can see some more great Adelie penguin photos.

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Flight of the Adelie Penguins is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

Here’s a fun photo of a penguin on a street sign taken by flickr user katmere located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The signs shows the standard pedestrian crossing along with an acorn (no idea why, but there is some historical reason I’m sure) and a penguin. Apparently the penguin is associated with a mural located somewhere near the sign. According to the photographer, the sign has had it’s share of abuse – who knows if it’s still standing.

Have you seen this sign?

Penguins and Acorns is a post from: Nothing but Penguins

With all the excitement around the Penguins winning the Stanely cup, I was sure there would eventually be a story tying our favorite penguin pals with the pro hockey players. This is a little bit of a stretch but one that is sure to bring a giggle.

Photo from the Great Yarmouth Mercury

This acquarist, Lauren Marshall, from the SEA Life centre in Great Yarmouth, UK is wearing pads on her shins to protect from her from the pecking penguins as she feeds them. Isn’t this a good time to use the cliche about biting the hand that feeds you?

The pads look a little like hockey shins, but they’re actually cricket shins.

A new view of penguins and hockey is a post from: Nothing but Penguins