Adélie Penguin

Least Concern

Pygoscelis adeliae

Standing just 70 cm tall and dressed in a crisp tuxedo-like coat, this charismatic Antarctic penguin can swim up to 185 kilometres a day while hunting for krill.

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

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Breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 70
Adaptability 75
Aggressiveness 65
Endurance 90

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.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 10 - 20 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 25 years
0
7
14
20
27

years

The Adélie Penguin typically lives for 10 to 20 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 25 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

10,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Increasing[3]

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:

Spheniscidae

Predators

Main predators include leopard seals, killer whales, and skuas, which primarily target eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

  1. Adélie Penguins can dive up to 175 meters deep in search of food.
  2. They were named after Adélie Land, discovered by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1840.
  3. These penguins can travel up to 300 km (186 miles) round-trip to forage for their chicks.

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References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2020. Pygoscelis adeliae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22697758A157660553.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report: Woehler 1993, Woehler and Croxall 1997, Lynch and La Rue 2014