- Also called:
- ringed penguin or bearded penguin
- Related Topics:
- Pygoscelis
Chinstrap penguin
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What is a chinstrap penguin?
The chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) is a penguin species recognized by a narrow band of black feathers that extends under its chin. They possess black plumage on the top of their heads, with white faces, black bills, and a thin ring of black skin around each eye.
These penguins primarily eat krill, but they will also consume fish and crustaceans. The chinstrap penguin can dive up to 100 meters (330 feet) in pursuit of prey; however, they typically hunt within 45 to 50 meters (about 150 to 165 feet) of the water's surface.
Ecologists estimate that there are over 15 million chinstrap penguins worldwide. They are mainly concentrated in breeding colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula and several Antarctic and subantarctic islands.
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How did the chinstrap penguin get its name?
The chinstrap penguin ( Pygoscelis antarctica) gets its common name from a narrow band of black feathers that stretches across its cheeks and under its chin, giving the appearance of a "chinstrap". Other distinguishing features include a black bill and a thin ring of black skin around each eye.
This penguin species lives in the northern regions of the Antarctic Peninsula and several Antarctic and subantarctic islands. The largest groups of these penguins are in breeding colonies on the coasts of the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, and the South Sandwich Islands.
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Where do chinstrap penguins live?
Chinstrap penguins live in the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula and several Antarctic and subantarctic islands. The largest concentrations of these penguins are found in breeding colonies along the coasts of the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, and the South Sandwich Islands. Breeding colonies also occur on the Antarctic Peninsula and on the Balleny Islands between Antarctica and New Zealand. They spend the winter on icebergs in warmer waters and on land north of their breeding colonies. Ecologists estimate that the worldwide chinstrap penguin population exceeds 15 million birds.
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What do chinstrap penguins eat?
Chinstrap penguins primarily eat krill (95–99 percent of their diet), but they will also consume fish and crustaceans. They typically hunt for food within 45–50 meters (about 150–165 feet) of the water's surface but can dive as deep as 100 meters (330 feet) to pursue prey.
Krill are small, shrimplike marine animals that are a crucial food source for various fishes, birds, and whales in certain regions of the sea. The abundance of krill in Antarctic waters makes it a primary food source for many smaller southern penguins.
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How do chinstrap penguins care for their young?
Chinstrap penguins usually return to their colonies by early November after foraging at sea from late March through October. They nest on steep, rocky slopes, where males construct circular enclosures from stones. Breeding females produce two eggs usually between late November and early December. Both parents take care of the eggs, incubating them in shifts that last 5–10 days for about five weeks, which shortens to 35 hours just before hatching. Chicks stay in the nest until early February, and then join groups for warmth and protection while both parents forage. Around 50–60 days after hatching, young chinstrap penguins begin foraging in the sea for the first time.
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What threats do chinstrap penguins face in the wild?
Chinstrap penguins face several threats in their natural habitat. At sea, adult chinstraps are preyed upon by leopard seals. On land, skuas and sheathbills pose a threat to chicks and eggs. Additionally, climate change has led to reduced sea-ice coverage, which protects krill (the primary food source for chinstrap penguins) and the phytoplankton they feed on. Some ecologists attribute population declines in Adélie and chinstrap penguins to low krill abundance caused by climate change.
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Chinstrap penguin, (Pygoscelis antarctica), species of penguin (order Sphenisciformes) characterized by a cap of black plumage on the top of the head, a white face, and a fine, continuous band of black feathers that extends from one side of the head to the other across each cheek and under the chin. The common name of the species derives from the presence of this “chinstrap” of black feathers. Other distinguishing features include a fine ring of black skin around each eye and a black bill. The species inhabits the northern part of the Antarctic Peninsula and several Antarctic and subantarctic islands. The largest concentrations of these birds are found in breeding colonies along the coasts of the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, and the South Sandwich Islands. Breeding colonies also occur on the Antarctic Peninsula and on the Balleny Islands between Antarctica and New Zealand.
Physical features
Adults average 71–76 cm (about 28–30 inches) in length and typically weigh 3–6 kg (about 7–13 pounds). Unlike many other penguin species, male and female chinstrap penguins are roughly the same size and closely resemble one another. Save for patches of dark feathers around the eyes, juveniles are similar to adults in size and coloration. Chicks are clothed in gray feathers and have a black bill.
Predators and prey
Krill (Euphausia superba) make up nearly all (about 95–99 percent) of the diet of the average chinstrap penguin; however, fish and crustaceans are also consumed. Adults can pursue prey as deep as 100 metres (330 feet), but most prey is captured within 45–50 metres (about 150–165 feet) of the surface. At sea, adults are prey for leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). On land, chicks and eggs are vulnerable to skuas (Catharacta) and sheathbills (Chionis).
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Nesting and breeding
Chinstrap penguins spend the winter on icebergs in warmer waters and on land north of their breeding colonies. After foraging at sea from late March through October, adults return to their colonies in early November. They nest on steep, rocky slopes, with the males often constructing circular enclosures made of stones. Breeding females produce two eggs between late November and early December. The eggs are cared for by both parents, who incubate the eggs in shifts of 5–10 days for the following five weeks. Just before the eggs hatch, shift length falls to 35 hours. Chicks, which emerge from their eggs in early January, remain in the nest until early February, before joining “crèches” (groups) with other members of their cohort for warmth and protection while their parents forage. Fledging, the stage in which the young are prepared for adulthood, occurs during early March. Some 50–60 days after they hatch, the young chinstrap penguins forage in the sea for the first time. They become sexually mature between ages three and seven, and they may live as long as 15–20 years.
Conservation status
Ecologists estimate that the worldwide chinstrap penguin population exceeds 15 million birds. The largest population, estimated at five million pairs, occurs in the South Sandwich Islands. Since 1988 the chinstrap penguin has been listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species because of its high numbers and its extremely large geographic range.