Penguins

[scooping]

Wouldn't it be useful for penguins to be able to fly and, if so, is there some Darwinian problem here?

[Buenchico]

Penguins have very few natural predators, so the ability to fly away from them isn't really an evolutionary priority. Their food is to be found in often very rough seas, so an overhead view probably wouldn't help them to find it. However they do need to be excellent swimmers, which is why their wings have evolved to help them to be so.

[baza]

it is because they cannot undo the wrapper with their wings.

[wildwood]

If a penguin had feathers on its 'wings', that would slow them down under water to the effect that they won't be able to catch their prey and starve. When first entering the water, penguins are sometimes caught by a common penguin predator; leopard seals. Once they are under water however, they swim so fast with their stout firm flippers that they are quite safe.

[scooping]

thanks all