Penguin Aarakocra live in the cold places of the multiverse, dwelling in places such as the coasts of the northern sword coast or in the demiplane of ice and snow. They usually associate themselves with snow, ice, or water elementals, avoiding air elementals and fire elementals, whom they have a rivalry with. Because of limited resources, they are fiercely territorial, yet not overly aggressive.

Penguin Aarakocra have an oral tradition telling of how they were betrayed by the Wind Dukes in the war against the Queen of Chaos. When they were injured, rather than spending the time to treat them, the Wind Dukes simply banished the wounded soldiers, casting them across the multiverse as Ostrich, Penguin, Kiwi, Emu, and other flightless Aarakocra. When the wounded soldiers tried to return, the gift of flight was supposedly taken from them.  Penguin Aarakocra in particular have carried this oral tradition on when others have forgotten it.

Due to this grudge, Penguin Aarakocra dislike creatures that can fly, but they have a murderous hatred of demons and fire elementals, because the Queen of Chaos was a demon, and fire elementals can overheat them. 

Penguin Aarakocra have an odd social structure in which every male votes on a leader for a year. Female penguin Aarakocra tend to look after chicks and build settlements, while male penguin Aarakocra protect the colony and go hunting for food. Penguin Aarakocras live in large, yet primitive settlements, digging tunnels in the icebergs and shores where they live. Penguin Aarakocra range in size from 3 feet and 50 pounds to 6 feet and 120 pounds. 

Penguin Aarakocra mate for life and perform courtship rituals involving pebbles. Males regularly compete for the affections of females by trying to get the best pebbles, then they move on to dancing.