BEHIND THE SCENE

Emperor penguins perform a wide range of displays during courtship, from bowing and swinging their heads to trumpeting loudly. This display continues throughout the breeding season, when parents trade places while taking care of the chick at the colony. The display ritual seems to strengthen the bond between them.

Emperor and king penguins are among just a handful of seabirds that reflect ultraviolet (UV) light from their bills. UV light is invisible to the human eye but can be seen by most birds. The male king penguin uses the reflected light as a cue to attract females. The contrast between the natural colouring of the penguin's black bill and the light, often bright surroundings emphasizes UV light reflection, which in turn makes it easier for the female to spot her prospective mate.