The Adelie penguin is an Antarctic bird that shares its home along with the more famous Emperor Penguin. This species was discovered in 1830 by Jules Dumont d’Urville, a French explorer who decided to name this penguin after his wife.
You may have seen Adelie penguins in popular culture without even realising it.
They are featured in the children’s book “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”, and in a number of movies, including “Mr. Forbush and the Penguins”, “The Adventures of Scamper the Penguin”, “Madagascar”, and “Happy Feet” (the group of penguins who speak with Mexican accents).
This Q&A will give you further information about the Adelie penguin and its habits.
How Many Adelie Penguins are There?
Adelie penguins mainly live around the Ross Sea and it is estimated that there are 38 colonies of them with a population of around five million. Inhabiting Ross Island are approximately half a million Adelie penguins.
Due to a reduction in ice and food sources, the population of these aquatic has dropped an estimated 65% in the past couple decades. Find out more about the threat posed by global warming.
How Big are Adelie Penguins?
Unlike its larger cousin, the Emperor penguin, Adelies are considered mid-sized. They range from 46 to 75 cm tall and weigh anywhere from 3.9 to 5.8 kg.
What do Adelie Penguins Look Like?
Adelie penguins sport the same ‘tuxedo’ as the Emperor penguin, with a white chest and black head, back, and flippers. A white ring surrounds their eyes and the base of their bill. Their bills are actually red but usually hidden by a fringe of white feathers. Adelie penguins have a longer tail than most other species.
What do Adelie Penguins Eat?
These penguins feed on a typical Antarctic seafood diet of kill, silverfish, and squid. It is interesting to note that researchers have determined the Adelie penguin once ate much more fish than they currently do. This diet change to krill is likely due to a decline in population of Baleen whales and the Antarctic Fur Seal.
These two animals were the largest predators of krill but with their waning numbers, it is easier for the Adelie to find krill.
What are the Breeding Habits of Adelie Penguins?
Adelie penguins are very social creatures that live in distinct groups.
They move to an off-ice breeding ground in late autumn (the start of spring in the southern hemisphere) and create nests of stones.
Eggs are hatched in December, the warmest month of the year and each parent take its turn keeping the egg warm. After the babies hatch, the family group returns to its regular sea ice habitat.
For more information about penguins take a look at our guide to the different penguin species.