- Common Name: Adelie Penguin
- Scientific Name: Pygoscelis adeliae
- Date Taken: January 25, 2001
- Location: Paulet Island, Brown Bluff, Antarctica
- Photographer: Howard Cunningham
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Adelie penguins are small to medium-sized penguins, with an average height of about 46-71 cm (18-28 inches).
They have a distinctive appearance with a black head and back, a white belly, and a white ring around their eyes.
Adelie penguins have a straight red-orange beak, which sets them apart from other penguin species. They primarily
inhabit the coastal areas of Antarctica and its surrounding islands. They prefer ice-free areas and build their
nests on rocky, ice-free terrain. They feed on krill, small fish, and squid. Adelie penguins are known
for their large breeding colonies, which can consist of thousands to even millions of pairs. They build nests
using stones, and both males and femaees take turns incubating the eggs. After the chicks hatch, both parents
take part in caring for them. Adelie penguin eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predation by Skuas, seals, and
other birds. In the water, they face threats from Leopard Seals and Orcas.
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