Drawn extensively from information given in Volume One of HANZAB - The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, this is a concise yet comprehensive guide to all 17 world species. The initial chapter discusses penguin diversity. There then follows the species descriptions, organised by genus, and covering description, distribution, behaviour, breeding, and threats and conservation. The final chapter covers threats and conservation of all penguin species. The colour plates are also drawn from HANZAB but with additional photos and line drawings.