-
DESCRIPTION
-
is the smallest of the Pygoscelis genus (3.5-5.5 Kg and 72 cm tall). Males are larger than females. In the adult, crown, forehead and upper parts of the body covered in blue-black feathers following molt, that brown over time from wear. Black long tail. Conspicuous black strap under the chin from ear-to-ear. The flippers are black above, white below, with a small black tip and thin black leading edge. Black long bill. Pinkish to orange feet with black soles. Reddish-brown iris, while congener’s eyes have dark irises. In the chick, silver to light grey down at birth with a darker second gray down appearing at 2-3 weeks of age.
-
DISTRIBUTION
-
Circumpolar, primarily located on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland, South Orkney and South Sandwich Islands. Small breeding populations on South Georgia, Bouvet, Heard and the Balleny Islands. Highly migratory in the non-breeding, winter period (April – Sept) north of the seasonal pack ice.
-
HABITAT
-
Marine. They live on barren islands and large icebergs of the sub-Antarctic Region and the Antarctic Peninsula, but they require ice-free ground to nest on.
-
BREEDING BIOLOGY
-
Dense colonies predominantly on sloped habitat and often in association with other Pygoscelid species. Breeders return to their colonies in early Oct – Nov, and lay two eggs following 2 to 3 weeks of courtship. Both sexes incubate during 33-37 days. Chicks are guarded for approximately 4 weeks following hatching with parents alternating periods at the nest with foraging trips to sea that average 12-24 hours each. The chicks are left alone in the colony and form crèches following this guard phase; while both parents forage simultaneously, returning to the nest to feed the chicks daily. Chicks fledge at 7-8 weeks of age after reaching 85% of adult weight. Following fledging in late February, adult penguins return to the sea to fatten up for the 3 week fast that accompanies their annual catastrophic molt.
Photos by: J. Deely, C. Sutter and P. Angiel
