Chinstrap Penguin

Scientific Classification

Kingdom              : Animalia

Phylum                 : Chordata

Class                     : Aves

Order                    : Sphenisciformes

Family                  : Spheniscidae

Genus                   : Pygoscelis

Species                 : P. Antarctica

Binomial name     : Pygoscelis    antarctica

NAME AND HABITATS

The Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antartica) is on of 12 species of penguin which is found in the South Sandwich Islands, Antartica, Deception Island, The South Orkneys, etc.
Their name derives from the narrow black band under their heads which makes it appear as if they are wearing black helmets, making them one of the most easily identified types of penguin. Other names for them are “ringed penguins”, “bearded penguins” and “stonecracker penguins” due to their harsh call.

DESCRIPTION

Chinstrap penguins can grow up to 68 cm (27 in) in length, and a weight of 6 kg (13.2 lbs); however, their weight can drop as low as 3 kg (6.6 lbs) depending on the breeding cycle. Males are both larger and heavier than females.

The adult chinstraps' flippers are black with a white edge; the inner sides of the flippers are white. The face is white extending behind the eyes, which are reddish-brown; the chin and throat are white as well, while the short bill is black. The strong legs and the webbed feet are pink.

The chinstrap penguin's black-and white plumage helps camouflge it in the water from predators such as seals. When seen from above, the bird's black back blends into the dark water below, while the bird's underside blends into the sunshine above when seen from below.

LIFE HISTORY

Female chinstrap penguins, Pygoscelis antarticus, lay 2 eggs in November or December that are incubated by both the males and females for about 37 days. About 7-8 weeks, the chicks fledge in late February to early March. Other penguin species give preferential feeding to stranger chicks, however chinstraps feed both chicks equally.

HABITS

Usually breeds on hillside slopes and rocky outcrops in colonies that sometimes can be enormous. At the South Shetlands, Chinstrap Penguins often breed amongst other Pygoscelis penguins, though usually on steeper slopes.  Their marine distribution seems to be linked with the limits of the continental shelf and the confluence of the Antarctic circumpolar and Weddell Sea currents.

PREDATORS

The predator of adult chinstraps is the leopard seal. Eggs and chicks can fall prey to birds, such as the sheathbill and the brown skua. Sea lions are their main predator. All of the chinstrap's predators are sea lions, orcas, skuas, leopard seal and sharks.

DIET

Their diet consists of krill, shrimp, fish, and squid which they swim up to 80 km (50 mi) offshore each day to obtain. The chinstrap penguin is able to withstand swimming in freezing waters due to its tightly packed feathers, which provide a waterproof coat.

Thick blubber deposits provide insulation, as well, and blood vessels in the flippers and legs have evolved intricate structures to preserve heat.