Chinstrap Penguin
Chinstrap Penguin (
Pygoscelis antarctica) is a variety of
penguin which is found in the
South Sandwich Islands,
Antarctica, the South Orkneys, South Shetlands,
South Georgia, Bouvet, Balleny and Peter Island. They get their name from the narrow black band under their heads which makes it appear as if they are wearing black helmets. Other names for them are "Ringed Penguins", "Bearded Penguins" and "Stonecracker Penguins" due to their harsh call. They grow to 75cm and there are approximately 7,500,000 breeding pairs. Their diet mostly consists of
krill with a little fish as well. They build circular nests from stones, and lay around two eggs, which are incubated by both the male and the female for shifts of five to ten days. The chicks hatch after about 35 days, and have fluffy grey backs and white fronts. The chicks stay in the nest for 20 - 30 days before they go to join a creche. At around 50 - 60 days old, they moult, gaining their adult plumage and go to sea.
