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Adélie Penguin

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.
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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

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Adélie Penguin can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Adélie Penguin can be found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Adélie Penguin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Argentina Australia Falkland Islands French Southern Territories Heard Island and McDonald Islands New Zealand

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird 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.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

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 70

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 75

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 65

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 90

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

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

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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

Average 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?

  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.

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

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