Chinstrap Penguin

or Ringed Penguin, Bearded Penguin, Stonecracker.


Scientific Name: Pygoscelis antarctica
Size
Chinstrap penguins are about 30 inches (75cm) tall. They weigh about 9 pounds (4kg).
Where are they found?
Chinstrap penguins are abundant, but restricted in distribution: North Graham Land, South Shetlands, South Orkneys, South Sandwich and east to Bouvet Islands. Small numbers are on South Georgia, Peter First and Heard Islands. Vagrant to Falklands.
What do they eat?
Chinstrap penguins eat crustaceans and small fish.
Main Predators
The Chinstrap penguins main predators are skua in the rookery and Leopard Seals in the sea.
Highlights
Chinstrap penguins are similar in apperance to the Ad�lie penguin, except for a disinguishing narrow black line (on the Chinstrap) which crosses the throat to join the black of the back of the neck.

The head of a Chinstrap

Chinstraps have a pugnacious character and an ear-splitting voice.

They come to the breeding place with the Antarctic spring. Two eggs are laid in a simple nest-scoop rimmed with a few pebbles, normally on bare terrain.

A Chinstrap and chick

Pairs crowded off the main colony may build on snow, which subsequently melts, leaving the sitting bird at the bottom of a hole. Chinstraps hatch later than Ad�lies and Gentoos, but their rate of growth is much faster. The juveniles do not form cr�ches, but remain within the family territory.

The Chinstrap penguin walks on ice or hard ground, propels itself when "tobogganing" with its feet only, climbs on all fours. They are less inclined to progress on its belly. When in haste its flippers perform a "rowing" action, instead of moving alternatively.


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