Antarctica is a unique continent located in the southern hemisphere that experiences extremely cold temperatures year-round. The continent is mostly covered in thick ice sheets, with only around 2% of the land being ice-free in the summer. Due to the harsh conditions, Antarctica has limited biodiversity and is home to relatively few bird species compared to other continents. However, several bird species have adapted to survive on the coldest continent and they play a vital role in the Antarctic ecosystem.
Emperor Penguin
One of the most iconic Antarctic birds is the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri). Emperor penguins breed exclusively in Antarctica and some islands in the vicinity of Antarctica. They do not migrate north during the winter like some other penguin species. Emperors are the largest penguin species standing nearly 4 feet tall. Their black and white plumage provides camouflage while hunting in the ocean. Emperor penguins can dive to depths over 1,800 feet in search of fish, krill and squid. During the brutal winter, male Emperors incubate their single egg on their feet while huddled together in large colonies to conserve warmth. Once the chick hatches, adults take turns caring for their young before the chick is ready to leave the colony on its own.
Adélie Penguin
The Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is another iconic Antarctic bird species that lives there exclusively year-round. Named after Adélie Land in Antarctica where they were first discovered, these penguins stand about 2 feet tall and weigh 8-13 pounds. Adélies can be identified by their all white ring of feathers around each eye and slate-gray feathers on their back. Unlike Emperors, Adélies build nests out of pebbles to incubate their eggs during breeding season. They forage for food along coastal areas preying on krill, fish and squid. Their populations are stable and number around 3-5 million breeding pairs across Antarctica.
Snow Petrel
The Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) is an all-white seabird perfectly camouflaged against the snowy backdrop of Antarctica. They have black eyes, a black bill and bluish-gray feet. Snow petrels have tube-like nostrils on their short bill to help expel excess salt. These medium-sized petrels breed exclusively in the coastal areas of Antarctica and forage widely across the Southern Ocean. They nest in rock crevices or shallow burrows and lay a single egg. Parents take turns incubating the egg while the other searches for fish, krill, squid and other sealife to eat. When not breeding, snow petrels may fly north but never too far from the ice packs.
South Polar Skua
The South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki) is a large predatory seabird that breeds in coastal Antarctica, the southern tips of South America and on subantarctic islands. These dark brown birds measure around 2 feet long with a wingspan over 4 feet. Their long narrow wings make them agile fliers capable of long migrations, though most remain in Antarctica year-round. South polar skuas prey on other birds and seals, and also scavenge penguin colonies for easy meals. They nest in shallow depressions lined with grasses and moss. Once the 2-3 speckled eggs hatch, both parents fiercely defend their chicks from predators for around 5 weeks until they fledge.
Antarctic Petrel
The Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) is a sleek seabird with dark blue-gray and white plumage that breeds exclusively along the Antarctic coastline. They nest in cavities on rocky cliffs, volcanic slopes or on islands. Antarctic petrels feed on krill, fish and other marine life across the Southern Ocean, often associating with ice floes and icebergs. They range widely outside the breeding season but return to Antarctic colonies in spring to breed. Pairs mate for life and share incubation duties in shifts that can last a week or more before rotating. The long incubations allow the parents to continue acquiring food.
Cape Petrel
The Cape Petrel (Daption capense) is aptly named for the black “cape” that extends across the back of its head and upper neck. The rest of its plumage is sharply contrasting black and white. This medium-sized seabird breeds exclusively in Antarctica, especially in the Antarctic Peninsula region. Cape petrels nest in small colonies on rocky cliffs or island cliffs. Their nests are typically shallow depressions lined with pebbles, stones and feathers. A single white egg with dark brown speckles is laid between late November and early December. Both parents share incubation duties for around 50 days before the chick hatches. Chicks fledge around 70 to 80 days after hatching.
Wilson’s Storm Petrel
Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) is a small grayish-brown seabird with a distinctly forked tail. Despite their diminutive size at just 5-6 inches long, these birds breed exclusively in Antarctica and forage widely across the Southern Ocean. Their nostrils have a salt gland to help expel excess salt. Wilson’s storm petrels nest in rock crevices or shallow burrows, where they lay a single white egg. The parents take turns incubating the egg for around 40 days until the semi-precocial chick hatches with eyes open and downy feathers. The chick will fledge at 7-8 weeks old.
South Georgia Pintail
The South Georgia Pintail (Anas georgica georgica) is a subspecies of the Yellow-billed Pintail duck found only on the islands of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean. They are stocky brown ducks with white underparts and a yellowish bill. These pintails inhabit lakes, ponds and coastal marshes on South Georgia year-round. Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates and some plant material. Females lay 5-7 eggs in nests on the ground concealed by vegetation. Due to limited breeding habitat and predators like rats, South Georgia Pintail numbers are estimated at only around 2,000 pairs.
Antarctic Tern
The Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) is the most widespread bird that breeds exclusively in Antarctica. This medium-sized seabird has a black cap, red-orange bill and legs, and pale gray plumage. Antarctic terns nest in small colonies along the Antarctic coastline, where females lay 1-3 speckled eggs in a scrape on the ground. Chicks hatch after around 3 weeks and fledge at 4-6 weeks old. Antarctic terns vigorously defend their nests and young. These long-distance migrators follow the sun during the southern hemisphere summer, travelling as far north as Alaska and Europe.
Southern Giant Petrel
The Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) is an enormous seabird and the largest bird that breeds exclusively in Antarctica. They have a wingspan over 7 feet across and stand over 2 feet tall. Their plumage isoverall brownish-gray with a pale ghostly-white head. Southern giant petrels breed in Antarctica, islands near Antarctica, and on the southern tip of South America. They nest on remote cliffs or inland amongst vegetation. A single egg is laid between late November and early January. Both parents share incubation duties for around 55 days before the chick hatches. Parents also take turns feeding the chick regurgitated food.
Antarctic Fulmar
The Antarctic Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) is a stiff-winged seabird found exclusively in the southern oceans near Antarctica. They are gray and white in color with a pale yellow bill and blue-gray feet. Antarctic fulmars breed in colonies along the Antarctic Peninsula and other coastal areas from November to January. Both parents help build a nest mound out of vegetation, dirt and feathers. A single white egg is laid which both parents take turns incubating for around 50 days. Fulmars feed on fish, krill, squid and other marine life while gliding low over the ocean surface.
Blue-eyed Shag
The Blue-eyed Shag (Phalacrocorax atriceps) is a black and white cormorant endemic to the coast of Antarctica. True to their name, they have distinctive blue eyes and facial skin. Blue-eyed shags breed in colonies on cliffs along the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands and South Georgia. Nest mounds built from kelp and grasses hold 2-4 pale blue eggs. Chicks hatch sequentially so some offspring are larger than their siblings. These agile swimmers pursue fish, crustaceans and other prey underwater up to 60 feet deep. Their numbers are estimated between 25,000 – 100,000 breeding pairs.
Brown Skua
The Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) is the smaller relative of the South Polar Skua found around the Antarctic coastline. Adults have dark brown plumage with lighter streaks on their back and inner wings. Brown skuas occasionally migrate north in winter but most remain in Antarctica year-round. They breed in loose colonies, laying 2-4 eggs in nests lined with grass and moss. Brown skuas often harass other seabirds to steal their food, as well as scavenging penguin colonies. Their total population numbers approximately 470,000 to 1 million pairs.
Kelp Gull
The Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) is an aggressive mid-sized gull species found throughout the southern hemisphere. The kelp gulls breeding around Antarctica are a distinct subspecies Larus dominicanus austrinus. They have black wings and a yellow bill. Kelp gulls nest in small colonies on cliffs, rocky outcrops and islands around coastal Antarctica. Only the female incubates the 2-3 speckled eggs for 21-28 days until hatching. The male brings food to feed female during incubation. Chicks fledge around 40 days after hatching. Kelp gulls eat fish, krill, squid, birds and eggs.
Antarctic Prion
The Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata) is a small gray and white petrel that breeds exclusively in Antarctic regions. Their short wide bill has tube-like nostrils to help expel excess salt. Antarctic prions nest in burrows dug into soil or buried in rock crevices. Their nests consist of a chamber lined with grasses, feathers and moss. A single white egg is laid between November to January. Parents take turns incubating the egg and caring for the chick once it hatches around 50 days later. These birds feed on small crustaceans, fish and squid.
South Georgia Diving Petrel
The South Georgia Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides georgicus) is a tiny seabird found only around South Georgia Island near Antarctica. They measure just 5.5 inches long with blackish plumage and a short black bill. As their name suggests, these petrels plunge dive underwater up to 30 feet deep searching for crustaceans and small fish. They nest in burrows on steep sea cliffs made of peat which helps insulate eggs and chicks. South Georgia diving petrels lay a single white egg from November to early January. The chick fledges around early April before they migrate north for the winter.
South Georgian Pipit
The South Georgian Pipit (Anthus antarcticus) is a small brown songbird found exclusively on the islands of South Georgia near Antarctica. They live on mountain slopes with tussock grass which they use to build domed nests securely wedged between grass tufts. Their speckled eggs hatch after around two weeks. South Georgian pipits mainly eat insects and spiders during the brief summer breeding season. They are territorial and sing beautiful loud songs in flight to defend breeding territories. The total population is estimated between 3000 to 15000 breeding pairs.
Lesser Sheathbill
The Lesser Sheathbill (Chionis minor) is an unusual wading bird whose range is limited to islands near the Antarctic Peninsula. They have white plumage and black face and legs. Sheathbills get their name from the horny sheath that covers their bill. They forage on land eating algae, mollusks, insects and crabs. Sheathbills often scavenge penguin colonies for food scraps and eggs. Their nests are shallow depressions lined with grasses and feathers built amongst vegetation. Two eggs are laid between October to December and incubated by both parents for around four weeks.
Conclusion
Only a handful of bird species have adapted the ability to live year-round in the brutal Antarctic environment. Penguins are the most well-known with the Emperor Penguin and Adélie Penguin breeding exclusively on Antarctica. Other sea and shorebirds have evolved unique characteristics to help them survive in the harsh climate while breeding along the remote Antarctic coastline and nearby islands. These remarkable birds play an integral role in the unique Antarctic ecosystem and food web.
