Chinstrap Penguins
Scientific Name: Pygoscelis Antarctica 

Chinstrap penguins are white on the front and black on the back. They are called Chinstrap because of the thin line of black feathers that goes from one side of their head to the other side running across the bottom of the the throat. Chicks have gray feathers on their backs instead of the black feathers of the adults

They are sometimes called Stonecracker penguins because of their noisy call. Besides Stonecracker, they are also called Ringed penguin or Bearded penguin.

They are about 70 cm tall and weigh about 4 kg.

Chinstrap penguins make a circle shaped nest of small rocks, stones, and pebbles. The females will lay one or two eggs in the nest. Both parents take turns caring for the eggs until they hatch. Each turn is 5 to 10 days long. The eggs will hatch after about 35 days. They will stay in the nest about 30 days, then they join a group of other young penguins called a crèche. The purpose of joining a crèche is to provide protection and warmth for the young penguins.

When they are between 50 and 60 days of age they will lose their baby feathers and grow their adult feathers. This is called molting. Then they will go to sea to hunt for their own food.

They often live on the large icebergs. They will dive off and return to the iceberg as they hunt for their favorite food. Chinstrap penguins like to eat small sea animals called krill and fish.