Adélie Penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
Visual Identification
Appearance
Adélie Penguins are distinctive medium-sized penguins with a classic tuxedo-like appearance. They have a black head, back, and wings contrasting sharply with a white chest and belly. Their most striking feature is the white ring around each eye.
Both males and females look alike, with no seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles are similar but have a blue-grey throat and chin instead of the adults' black colouration.
Size
Length
70cm to 71cm
Wingspan
75cm to 80cm
Weight
3kg to 6kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Beak Colour
Red Black
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Adélie Penguins are found along the Antarctic coastline and nearby islands, including the Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea, and East Antarctica. They inhabit areas with accessible open water and rocky, ice-free terrain for nesting.
During winter, they disperse northward to the pack ice zone surrounding Antarctica, following the extent of sea ice. They are rarely seen in waters north of the Antarctic Convergence.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 300 meters
Climate zones
Antarctic, Subantarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Adélie Penguin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Whilst somewhat awkward on land, Adélie Penguins are remarkably agile swimmers, capable of reaching speeds up to 8 km/h underwater and executing precise manoeuvres to catch prey. Their ability to 'fly' underwater and navigate through ice demonstrates exceptional aquatic agility.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
These medium-sized penguins possess considerable strength for their size, evidenced by their ability to dive up to 175 metres deep and travel 300 km round-trip whilst foraging. Their robust build enables them to withstand harsh Antarctic conditions and handle powerful swimming movements.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Adélie Penguins show strong adaptability through their capacity to thrive in extreme Antarctic environments, adjust their foraging patterns seasonally, and modify their diet based on availability. However, they are somewhat vulnerable to climate change impacts on their specialist habitat.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These penguins display moderate aggression, particularly during breeding season when defending nests and territories. They must also be sufficiently assertive to survive in colonies and protect themselves and their offspring from predators like skuas.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Exceptional endurance is demonstrated through their long-distance foraging trips, sustained diving abilities (up to 180 seconds underwater), and capacity to survive harsh Antarctic conditions. Their ability to make regular 300 km round-trip journeys whilst feeding chicks shows remarkable stamina.
Diet
Adélie Penguins primarily feed on krill, small fish, and occasionally squid. They are pursuit divers, catching prey during underwater 'flights' that can last up to 180 seconds.
Their diet varies seasonally, with a higher proportion of fish consumed during chick-rearing periods.
Behaviour
Adélie Penguins are highly social birds, forming large colonies during breeding season. They are excellent swimmers, using their flippers to 'fly' underwater at speeds up to 8 km/h.
On land, they waddle upright or toboggan on their bellies across the ice, using their flippers for balance and propulsion.
Vocalisation
Adélie Penguins are known for their loud, raucous calls. Their vocalisations include a variety of squawks, growls, and trumpeting sounds.
During courtship, males produce a distinctive 'ecstatic display call,' which sounds like a series of loud, rhythmic squawks: 'aah-aah-aah-AAAH-aah.'
Nesting & Breeding
Adélie Penguins form monogamous pairs and breed during the austral summer. They return to the same nesting sites each year, often reuniting with previous mates. Courtship involves mutual bowing and stone presentations.
Nests are simple depressions in rocky ground, lined with small stones. Females typically lay two eggs, which are pale green to white in colour. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs.
Incubation lasts about 32-34 days. Chicks fledge at 7-9 weeks old, forming crèches while parents forage. They become independent at about 50-60 days old.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Although listed as Least Concern, they face threats due to climate change impacting their habitat and food sources. Warming temperatures are causing shifts in sea ice patterns, affecting their breeding and foraging grounds.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding sites and monitoring population trends.
Birdwatching Tips
- Visit Antarctica or sub-Antarctic islands during the austral summer (November to February)
- Look for large colonies on rocky, ice-free coastal areas
- Observe from a distance to avoid disturbing nesting birds
- Listen for loud, raucous calls that help identify the species
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Black-throated Penguin
Family:
SpheniscidaeAverage Lifespan
10 to 20 years
Max Lifespan
25 years
Predators
Main predators include leopard seals, killer whales, and skuas, which primarily target eggs and chicks.
Did You Know?
- Adélie Penguins can dive up to 175 meters deep in search of food.
- They were named after Adélie Land, discovered by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1840.
- These penguins can travel up to 300 km (186 miles) round-trip to forage for their chicks.
Similar Birds
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2020. Pygoscelis adeliae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22697758A157660553.
View source - 2 3
report: Woehler 1993, Woehler and Croxall 1997, Lynch and La Rue 2014
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