From Opus

Photo by derekh42
West Ice Shelf, Antarctica, November 2003

Pygoscelis adeliae

[edit] Identification

46 to 75 cm. White belly, black head and back, white eye ring, long white feathers at the base of the bill which hide most of the red bill. The tail is a little longer than other penguins.

[edit] Distribution

Circumpolar Antarctic seas to edge of ice pack.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Sea ice but needs the ice-free land to breed.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

The diet includes krill, fish and squid.

An Adelie Penguin Colony
Photo by Gary Clark
Antarctic Peninsula

[edit] Breeding

Their nests consist of stones piled together. 2 greenish white eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents in turn for 35 days.
The female returns to the sea first, often leaving the male to stand alone for up to ten days while she feeds.

[edit] External Links