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October 02, 2026 Fact of the Day Birds A new penguin was discovered in 2026. By Bennett Kleinman Over the last 105 years, scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries such as penicillin and DNA’s double-helix structure. But in that same time, the total number of known penguin species has remained constant — that is, until a new species was confirmed in 2026. Research teams have discovered Pygoscelis kerguelensis living in the remote Kerguelen Islands of the Indian Ocean. Prior to this revelation, it was believed the familiar gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) was just a single species. But testing has confirmed it’s actually four: three species formerly known to science (P. papua, P. taeniata, and P. ellsworthi), plus this new variety. P. kerguelensis has been hiding in plain sight thanks to nearly identical physical traits that make it largely indistinguishable from similar species (white belly, black back, etc.). But scientists noticed a slight discrepancy in size and vocalizations made by gentoos living in different regions of the world. This prompted further testing that confirmed clear genetic differences, resulting in the first newly confirmed penguin species since the Northern rockhopper’s identification in 1921. How are new species discovered, anyway? Today's Question Where does the world’s smallest known penguin species live? Australia and New Zealand Antarctica South Africa Argentina and Chile Keep Exploring Birds What IS a Gentoo Penguin? Birds How Do Penguins Tell Each Other Apart? Birds What Is a Mega Penguin? Was this email forwarded to you? Sign Up Advertise Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60654 If you'd like to unsubscribe from all Animal Facts emails, click here.