Range

Chinstrap penguins are found on a range of islands throughout the Antarctic region. They are found on the Antarctic Peninsula. A small population exist on the Balleny Islands to the South of New Zealand.

Habitat

They make their home in areas with light pack ice with much of their time spent in the water.

Reproduction

Breeding activity occurs throughout October and November. For the breeding season they will gather in large colonies. Pairs tend to remain together for multiple years.

At the start of the breeding season the males will beat their chests and raise their flippers while screeching. This helps the them to synchronize their breeding season. Males arrive before the breeding season begins.

The nest for the chinstrap penguin is formed in a shallow bowl among rocks and rocks or bones are added to this.

In to the nest the female will deposit two eggs in late November. Males and females will share incubation duties throughout the 33 to 36 day incubation period.

Unlike most other species of penguins which favor one chick to ensure it survives these birds will work to raise both chicks through to adulthood.

Within a month the chicks will join a creche with other penguin chicks. In the creche the chicks are kept warm and the numbers of them helps to keep them safe from predators.

Fledging occurs from 7 to 8 weeks old.

In years where sea ice remains close to the colony they will have lower breeding success.

Behavior

Chinstrap penguins are are able to dive to a depth of up to 70m (230ft) deep. These dives may last between 20 and 30 seconds.

On land the chinstrap penguin will move around by tobogganing. This involves them laying on their stomach and propelling themselves forward using their feet and flippers.

These penguins communicate with one another by flipper or head waving, bowing, gesturing or preening one another.

Chinstrap penguins live in colonies which may have up to 100,000 members.

After the breeding season the chinstrap penguins will remain on land to undertake their molt. During this the feathers are all shed and replaced with new ones. During this period they are not waterproof and can not go in the water. As such prior to this they have to gain weight to survive this period.

Predators and Threats

At sea chinstrap penguins will face predation from the leopard seals and orcas while on land sheathbills and skuas will target chicks and their eggs.

Climate change appears to be impacting the population of krill which as the main food source for this species poses a major threat. Their is also an increasing krill fishing industry which presents another threat.

Quick facts

The largest population of chinstrap penguins is found on Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands. Two million of these birds are found here.

Chinstrap penguins are also known as ringed penguins, bearded penguins and stonecracker penguins.

The name stonecracker penguin is derived from a high-pitched call they produce.