Penguin Species Profile
Adélie Penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
Antarctic penguin recognised by its bold white eye ring, 'typical' penguin appearance and feisty behaviour.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Population Trend
Increasing
Species Facts
Essential profile data
Scientific name
Pygoscelis adeliae
Name origin
Early Antaractic explorer Jules Dumont D’Urville named them after his late wife Adele
Estimated population
2.4-2.5M breeding pairs
Colony size
≤500,000
Average lifespan
15-20 years
Weight range
4.6-5.3kg
Maximum height
70cm
Diet
Krill, other crustacean species and multiple fish species
Predators
Leopard seals, killer whales (orcas), south polar skuas, southern giant petrels, snowy sheathbills
Adaptations
Black and white plumage for camouflage
Geographic breeding range
Antarctica; South Orkney Islands; South Sandwich Islands; Bouvet Island
Appearance
Chick and adult comparison
Chick Appearance
Soft, dark grey feathers covering the whole body except for eyes, beak and feet. As the adult feathers grow underneath, these chick feathers gradually fall off until the chick has matured into an adult.
Adult Appearance
The face and the backside are completely black, while the belly and inside of the flippers are white. Adelie penguins have small white eyes with dark brown pupils, and the beak and feet are pink.
Fun Fact
There are some characters from animated Disney shows that inspire character looks, or the way human characters dress from Adélie penguins!