| Background Information |
The Chinstrap penguin is one of three Pygoscelids that inhabit the subantarctic regions; it is easily distinguished from the other two by the nature of its "chinstrap" plumage. A thin band of black plumage runs bilaterally from the lateral temple, inferior to each eye and unites inferior to the bill. It is truly a chin "strap," although it doesn't, of course, fasten or support anything.
Chinstraps are smaller than Gentoos and weigh about 4.5 kilograms on average, while reaching a height of only 68 cm on average. Males and females, like all other penguins, are monomorphic, and I'm not sure one could tell them apart without behavioural or temporal cues. Breeding occurs from late October to February.
As mentioned, the Chinstraps roam and nest around the Antarctic peninsula and the coastal islands of the continent. Specifically, they can be found on the South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Island and South Sandwich (among others). They appear to be a stable population and were last estimated to include about 7.5 million breeding pairs. They are not considered to be migratory.
The diet of the Chinstrap is uncomplicated as well: small shoaling animals, krill, small fish and other roaming marine crustaceans. The principal predator of adult Chinstraps is the leopard seal, while the main predators of eggs and chicks are the sheathbill and Brown skua.
| Author Bernard Stonehouse |
Chinstrap penguins Pygoscelis antarctica breed almost exclusively on islands of the Scotia Arc and on Antarctica Peninsula south to 65 S. A few pairs have also been reported on Peter I Oy, Heard Island and the Balleny Islands, where breeding may sometimes occur. No subspecies have been proposed. Smallest of the pygoscelids, Chinstrap penguins nest on rough, boulder-strewn slopes, often close to colonies of Adelie or Gentoo penguins. Laying two eggs, usually two to four weeks later than other pygoscelid species in the same area, they complete their breeding cycle by February or March and disperse to the pack ice in winter. Early studies by Bagshawe (1938) and notes by Sladen (1958) for long remained the only authoritative published reports on this species.
| Chinstrap penguin multimedia |
- A Chinstrap in ecstatic display nesting near Gentoos
- Another Chinstrap sounds off
- Feeding chicks is a responsibility of both parents
- Chinstraps start start out young too
- A Chinstrap penguin walks ashore - David Mundstock
- Here is picture of a sub-adult in adult onset
- A Chinstrap with it's work cut out for it - Juan Moreno
- When it's time to feed, Chinstraps leave in groups
- A fancy picture of a Chinstrap standing proud - Joe Mayernik
- Nesting season is the start of much responsibility
- More Chinstraps nesting
- Another picture of Chinstraps nesting
Chinstrap penguins greeting each other. (.wav, 172k)
Chinstrap penguin fact sheet. (PDF, 106k)
