Adelie Penguin - Pygoscelis Adeliae 

Distinguishing features

 Adelies are the archetypal penguins that are supposed to look like men in their dinner suits. They have a white front and a black back. They also have a white ring around the eye that is most pronounced in the breeding season. Juveniles can be recognised by their white chins. 

Chicks have uniform grey black plumage.

Height 

 Adult Adelies are about 70 cm tall.

Weight

 Weights vary through the year. Males weigh from 4.4 to 5.4 kg while females are lighter at 3.9 to 4.8 kg.

Breeding locations
map of breeding locations Adelies breed on exposed rock all round the Antarctic continent. The total breeding population is estimated to be over 2,500,000  pairs.
 

Nesting behaviour

 Adelies build rough nests of stones. Two eggs are laid, these are incubated for 32 to 34 days by the parents taking turns (shifts typically last for 12 days). The chicks remain in the nest for 22 days before joining creches. The chicks moult into their juvenile plumage and go out to sea after 50 to 60 days. 

Principal diet

 Adelies live almost exclusively on krill - which makes up over 99% of their diet. 

Bibliography

Penguins John Sparks and Tony Soper, Facts on File Publications, Oxford, 1987.

Penguins of the World Pauline Reilly, OUP, Oxford, 1994.

The Penguins Tony D Williams, OUP, Oxford, 1995.

Guide to Pete & Barb's Penguin Pages
Front Page and Introduction · Descriptions of the Penguins · Detailed Species Notes · Breeding Behaviour · Common questions · Penguin Goodies · Penguin Bibliography · Good Penguin Guide · Photo Index · Links to other penguin sites · 'Penguin-balls' · Endangered Penguins ·
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