Scientific name: Pygoscelis antarctica
Physical description and related species
Chinstrap penguins – named for the narrow black band under their heads – grow to 68 centimetres long and and weigh between three and six kilograms. They are distinguished by the narrow band of black feathers which extends from ear to ear, just below the chin and the cheeks. Males are larger and heavier than females.
Distribution and abundance
Chinstrap penguins breed mainly on the Antarctic Peninsula and on islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. There is a small breeding population on the Balleny Islands, south of New Zealand.
Chinstrap penguins are the second most abundant penguin species in the Antarctic and subantarctic regions (second to macaroni penguins with approximately 11.8 million breeding pairs). The minimum breeding population was estimated at approximately 7.5 million pairs in 1993.
Conservation status: least concern
The eggs of chinstrap penguins are laid in late November. They generally have two chicks each summer, both of whom are treated equally by the parents. This is unlike other penguins species where the stronger chick is fed preferentially. The chicks fledge at about seven to eight weeks.
Breeding success is lower in years when extensive sea-ice persists close to colonies, as this restricts access to the sea for foraging adults.
Diet and feeding
Although chinstrap penguins forage at sea throughout the day and night, diving effort is concentrated near midnight and noon.
Chinstrap penguins feed mainly on krill and fish and are considered near-shore feeders, feeding close to their breeding colonies. They catch prey by pursuit-diving using their flippers to ‘fly’ through the water.
Chinstrap penguins on land often toboggan – laying on their stomachs, propelling themselves by their feet, and using their flippers. They climb using all four limbs and are able to jump large distances to reach footholds.
Chinstrap penguins leave their colonies and move north of the pack ice in March through to early May for the winter.