Adelie Penguin

Picture
he looks so tough! (hehe)
Kingdom Animalia
 Phylum Chordata 
Class Aves
 Order Sphenisciformes 
Family Spheniscidae 
Genus Pygoscelis 
Species Pygoscelis adeliae

Biology 

When they are babies they have a soft dark grey head and body. This suit keeps them warm on the cold Antarctic ice.  The plumage on a penguin while swimming in the water. However, on land their dark back stands out to their flying predator.  

Fun Facts

  • The Adelie penguin is the smallest penguin on Antarctica.
  • The adult have been observed to steal rocks from their neighbor's nest.
  • If this penguin stares directly at you in the eye, it is not happy with your presence.
  • When they preen they use the oil at the end of its tail to keep their feathers water proof.
  • While after swimming or walking, their feet turn pink.
Morphology:  The Adelie Penguin is known for its distinctive black and white bilateral seabird. It has black head with two white rings around it's eyes and a red bill. It has a black back with blue-tipped feathers while the chest is white and grey-pink feet. 

   disTribution Map

Ecological & Economically Importance:
The Adelie penguin on the IUCN Red List is listed as Near Threatened. 


Vocabulary 

Plumage- bird's feathers.
Preen- to smooth or clean feathers with beak or bill.

Sources

Arkive
National Geographic 
Marine Bio