Adelie Penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) — Penguins of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is a member of the Spheniscidae family found in Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 4.8 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Sphenisciformes
- Family Spheniscidae Penguins
- Genus Pygoscelis
- Species adeliae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 4.8 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Spheniscidae
- Order
- Sphenisciformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Adelie Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Adelie Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is a member of the Spheniscidae family, within the order Sphenisciformes. It occurs naturally across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO, AN Antarctic coasts and islands.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 4.8 kg, with a wing length of about 9.5 cm and a tail of around 13.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 148,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Adelie Penguin?
The Adelie Penguin is a very large bird that weighs around 4.8 kg.
Where does the Adelie Penguin live?
The Adelie Penguin is found across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO, AN Antarctic coasts and islands, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Adelie Penguin belong to?
The Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) belongs to the Spheniscidae family, in the order Sphenisciformes.
What does the Adelie Penguin eat?
The Adelie Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Adelie Penguin migrate?
The Adelie Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Adelie Penguin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Adelie Penguin make?
1 real field recording of the Adelie Penguin can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Adelie Penguin's range?
The Adelie Penguin has a mapped global range of about 148,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Spheniscidae
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
More in Penguins
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Not Evaluated
Endangered
Least Concern
Vulnerable