Pygoscelis adeliae

Adelie Penguins are highly social and agile swimmers, known for their playful antics and remarkable diving ability, often reaching depths to find krill, fish, and squid. They are most active during the day and can cover significant distances in their search for food.

They breed in large colonies on ice-free shores around the Antarctic continent, with a breeding cycle that starts in October. Nests are made from stones, and both parents share the responsibilities of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.

Adelie Penguins are characterized by their black and white plumage, which provides camouflage in the water, and the distinctive white ring around their eyes. Adults stand about 70 cm tall and weigh between 3 to 6 kg.

Named in 1840 by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville after his wife, Adélie, the Adelie Penguin has been a subject of scientific research for over a century, providing key insights into the Antarctic ecosystem's health.

Classified as Near Threatened, Adelie Penguin populations are facing pressures from climate change, which impacts sea ice patterns and food availability. Conservation efforts are aimed at monitoring population trends and protecting their habitat from the effects of global warming.