What was the first species of Penguin?

Question

:P. I have ALWAYS found penguins as my fave animal. Except, I really havent found out which was the first species. Could someone help me? I would like to know. Thank you so much!!!

Answer 1

The first bird to be called a penguin was the flightless great auk of the Arctic regions which became extinct in the 19th century. It was called a penguin before the southern hemisphere birds were discovered and they were then given the same name.

Fossil penguins have been found including a giant about the same size as a human but it is impossible to say which was the first. They did, however, evolve from birds which could fly.

Answer 2

We can never identify a species from fossils and say for certain that this was the first of its kind.

The earliest known species of penguin was Waimanu manneringi, was flightless but not as adapted to aquatic life as modern penguins. It resembled a loon, a duck-like bird.