Touching video from the edge of the world: Ukrainian polar explorers show Antarctic penguins and their babies
Ukrainian polar explorers shot a unique video with Antarctic penguins and their chicks. This was reported by the National Antarctic Science Center.
Antarctic penguins, also known as chinstrap penguins or bearded penguins because of the black stripe on their white chin, are considered the most abundant species in the Antarctic – there are about 7.5 million pairs.
The mating season for these birds usually begins in October-November.
Penguins lay 2 eggs, sometimes 1 or 3. A little more than a month later, they give birth to penguin chicks covered with light gray fluff, which gradually darkens on the head, wings and back.
Both penguins take turns in the process of hatching eggs and caring for chicks.
Vadym Tkachenko, a biologist of the 28th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition, shot a video of the chicks while working on But Island. Since the beginning of 2024, 15 Antarctic penguin chicks have been born there.
“Antarctic penguins mostly visit our island of Galindez, and even then, only infrequently. But a small colony of them nests on Buta, which is 20 kilometers to the north. And what is noteworthy is that all 3 species of penguins of the genus Pygoscelis found in our area nest here at the same time: sub-Antarctic, Antarctic and Adelie penguins.
National Antarctic Research Center
