Curious chinstrap penguin, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) at Half Moon Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Sunset in Half Moon Bay, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Penguins below dramatic rock formations, Half Moon Bay, South Sheltand Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Penguins, Saunders Island, South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) colony on half Moon Bay, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Tourists on a zodiac watching a dolphin colony, Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Penguins below dramatic rock formations, Half Moon Bay, South Sheltand islands, Antarctica

Penguins below dramatic rock formations, Half Moon Bay, South Sheltand Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Swimming chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), South Sandwich Islands, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in the snow, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) colony above icy Neko Harbour, early morning, Graham Land, Antarctic Continent, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguins mating in Antarctica, Polar Regions

Porpoising chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), South Sandwich Islands, Polar Regions

Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) colony, early morning sun, Neko Harbour, Graham Land, Antarctic Continent, Antarctica, Polar Regions

A chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), standing on an iceberg in the Antarctic Peninsula, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguin roaming around in scenic Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), leaping in to the sea on Coronation Island, South Orkneys, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) at a spectacular craggy colony, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Scenic view of Chinstrap Penguins and glaciers in Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), diving off a cliff in to the sea, Zavodovski Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Scenic view of the glacial ice and floating icebergs in Antarctica, Polar Regions

View of Chinstrap Penguin, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), diving off a cliff in to the sea, Zavodovski Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Scenic view of Antarctica, Chinstrap Penguins and people roaming around the ice, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), leaping from the sea at breeding colony on Barrientos Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), and Adelie penguins on Saunders Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Over a million chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on Zavodovski Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on the beach at Coronation Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

A pair of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on Robert Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), marching to the sea on Coronation Island, South Orkneys, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in the snow, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on eggs at Coronation Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Over a million chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on Zavodovski Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) walking across the rocks, Antarctica, Polar Regions

View of Chinstrap Penguins and glaciers in Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), nesting site high on the hill in Orne Harbor, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Over a million chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on Zavodovski Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Adult chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), porpoising through the sea in Cooper Bay, South Georgia, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) on the beach, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) on one iceberg, Bransfield Strait, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Close-up of head of Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Rare leucistic gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) in a colony, Gonzalez Videla Station, Waterboat Point, Paradise Bay, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) and stunning scenery, early morning sun and mist, Neko Harbour, Graham Land, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Adult chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) walking in the snow on Half Moon Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Over a million chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), on Zavodovski Island, South Sandwich Islands, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), Torgersen Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), bright lichen covered rocks, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Adult chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) porpoising through the sea in Cooper Bay, South Georgia, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), marching to the sea on Coronation Island, South Orkneys, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Close-up of Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in the snow, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins calling (Pygoscelis antarcticus) at a craggy colony, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Portrait of a chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Close up portrait of a chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin colony (Pygoscelis antarcticus), craggy rock with lichen, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Close up portrait of a chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, Weddell Sea, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Adult chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) feeding chick, Neko Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) on an iceberg near Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Hannah Point, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) group, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Orne Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) porpoising, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) porpoising in front of expedition ship, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antactica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) adult and chick, Hannah Point, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Orne Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Chinstrap Penguin portrait, Pygoscelis antarcticus, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands

Chinstrap Penguin portrait, Pygoscelis antarcticus, Half Moon Island, South Shetland Islands

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

A lone adult Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) among a chinstrap penguin colony at Point Wild on Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) chick head detail at colony on Useful Island near the Antarctic Peninsula. There are an estimated 2 million breeding pairs of chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic peninsula region alone, perhaps as many as 7.5 million breeding pairs in all of Antarctica. Their name derives from the narrow black band under their heads which makes it appear as if they are wearing black helmets, making them one of the most easily identified types of penguin. Other names for them are "Ringed Penguins", "Bearded Penguins", and "Stonecracker Penguins" due to their harsh call. They grow to 68 cm (27 in). The average adult weight of a Chinstrap Penguin is 4.5 kg (10 lbs). Weight can range from 3 to 6 kg (6.6-13.2 lbs), with males being slightly larger and weight varying based on where the penguin is in the breeding cycle. Their diet consists of krill, shrimp, and fish. On land they build circular nests from stones, and lay two eggs, which are incubated by both the male and the female for shifts of five to ten days. They can also breed on icebergs, though they prefer non-icy conditions. The chicks hatch after about 35 days, and have fluffy gray backs and white fronts. The chicks stay in the nest for 20?30 days before they go to join a creche. At around 50?60 days old, they moult, gaining their adult plumage and go to sea. The Chinstrap Penguin was first described by German naturalist Forster in 1781. Its specific epithet was often seen as antarctica, however a 2002 review determined the genus Pygoscelis was masculine, and hence the correct binomial name is Pygoscelis antarcticus.

Adult Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) with almost grown up chick. Livingston Island, Antarctica

Adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) Catching, flailing, and eating a chinstrap penguin at Point Wild on Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands, Southern Ocean

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

A rare sighting of a lone adult king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), Barrentos Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony on the Antarctic Peninsula

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis Antarcticus) jumping out of water. Hannah Point, Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Two displaying Chinstrap Penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus). Livingston Island, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) breeding and molting at Half Moon Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

A rare sighting of a lone adult king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), Barrentos Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Three species of brushtail penguins (gentoo, Adelie, and chinstrap) all together on an iceberg in the Weddell Sea, on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

A rare sighting of a lone adult king penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), Barrentos Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, Southern Ocean

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) in surf conditions at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica

Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colony at Baily Head on Deception Island, South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica