
Chinstrap Penguin
These medium-sized penguins are always "strapped in" and ready for action!
What you need to know about the Chinstrap Penguin
Our Expert Says… "The noisiest (and some would say grumpiest) of the brushtail penguins, Chinstraps specialize in breeding in places with large ocean swells that batter the beaches - they aren't put off by being pounded on the way to shore. They like to climb up and away from the beach to nest on windswept ridges."
Chinstrap penguins are one of the most easily recognized of the penguin species, thanks to their unique marking - a band of black that passes under their bill like the chin strap of a helmet! They are also sometimes known as bearded or ringed penguins.
Found widely in the Southern Ocean, especially in the South Atlantic sector, breeding on various islands south of the convergence and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Chinstraps are one of the three brushtail penguins, with a maximum height and weight of 75cm and 5kg (30" and 11lbs). Their legs and webbed feet are pink, and it these rather stumpy legs that give chinstraps an exaggerated waddle when they walk.
They eat fish, krill, and squid, and they swim up to 50 miles from shore every day in search of their meals. While feeding they need to avoid their primary predator, the Leopard seal. Onshore, young chinstraps are vulnerable to attacks by skuas and giant storm petrels.
They often breed high up on windswept ridges and are very tough penguins, often coming ashore in huge swells. Despite their social living conditions in large colonies, your expert naturalist guide will explain to you that chinstrap penguins have the reputation of being the most aggressive and grumpiest of the penguin species!
Chinstrap Penguin: Interesting facts
Chinstrap Penguins often nest on high windswept ridges. Why do they go all this way, why not nest closer to the beach? The reason the windswept location is chosen is that it is first area to clear of snow to be able to build the nest of stones. Lower down nests can also be buried in snow storms.
Chinstrap Penguin: Pictures & Videos

