Adelie Penguin                 Pygoscelis adeliae

Identification               Images               Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life History                        References

 

Adelie Penguins at Gourdin Island, Antarctica - November 24, 2004.
© Michael G. Shepard www.birdinfo.com

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Adelie Penguin Distribution:

  • Global population is approximately 2.5 million breeding pairs, restricted to the Antarctic continent and adjacent Antarctic islands.  In winter they are more widely distributed, but tend to be closely associated with ice, rarely venturing beyond the Antarctic convergence.

Adelie Penguin Identification:

  • The classic tuxedo wearing penguin - stout, black-and-white.
  • Adults are black-headed with a conspicuous white eye ring.
  • Bill is shorter and stouter than other penguin species, and is partially feathered.
  • Feet relatively short and broad, rosy gray, with contrasting large black nails.
  • Length: to 70 cm.
  • Weight:  variable, but many adults weigh between 3.5 and 4  kilograms.

Adelie Penguin Life History:

  • Adelie Penguins typically return to breeding colonies in September and October.  At this time they may waddle several kilometers over the ice to traditional nesting sites.  Colonies are usually close to the water's edge by the time the young hatch.
  • Nests are circular mounds built of pebbles.  These stones are a valuable commodity, often stolen by neighboring Adelies or other penguin species.  Most egg laying takes place in November, with two eggs being the norm. Most eggs hatch in December, after an incubation period of about 35 days.  The chicks soon develop a thick coat of sooty gray down that helps keep them warm.
  • The guard stage lasts three to four weeks, with the parents taking turns brooding chicks and defending them from predators.  Once at adult size, the chicks begin to form groups (crèches) that serve as huddles for warmth and some protection from predators.  From this time until mid to late February, the adults spend their time foraging at sea, bringing back krill and other prey to feed the ravenous young.
  • By early February, most chicks are beginning to moult into a sleek water resistant plumage.  Towards the end of the season, the adults abandon their young, who soon thereafter make the plunge, leaving the colonies as well.  In contrast to Gentoo Penguins, Adelies don't linger near the colonies, but head out to the pack ice and beyond they spend the rest of the year.
  • Predators:  The Brown Skua is an efficient predator, consuming moderate quantities of penguin eggs and small chicks.  Other avian predators that have some, but lesser impact include Southern (Antarctic) Giant Petrel, Snowy Sheathbill, Kelp Gull and South Polar Skua.  At sea, particularly near large rookeries, Adelies fall prey to leopard seals.  These giant creatures wait close to shore, grabbing arriving and departing birds.  Juvenile penguins are at highest risk, not having fully developed their sense of predator awareness.

The following is a useful source for additional life history information:

Adelie Penguin Images:
Click HERE to view our Adelie Penguin image gallery.

Adelie Penguin Additional References:
Section under development.

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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