Modern penguins primarily evolved from common ancestors that lived in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in regions like Antarctica and South America. Fossil evidence suggests that penguins diverged from a group of seabirds more than 60 million years ago, shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
The ancestors of modern penguins were likely capable of flight, but over time, as they adapted to a marine lifestyle, they became more specialized for swimming, leading to the loss of flight capability. This evolutionary adaptation allowed them to thrive in cold, aquatic environments, and they eventually spread to various regions in the Southern Hemisphere, including areas like New Zealand, Australia, South America, and sub-Antarctic islands.
Today, there are around 18 recognized species of modern penguins, with variations in size, coloration, behavior, and habitat preferences. Each species adapted to its specific environment, resulting in the diverse penguin populations we see today.