The Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is a species of penguin common along the entire Antarctic coast. Distinctive marks are the white ring surrounding the eye and the feathers at the base of the bill. It’s tail is a little longer than other penguins’ tails. The appearance looks somewhat like a tuxedo.

A pair of Adelie Penguins

What makes this penguin so special? To us, pebbles are just ugly stones/rocks found along beaches. To the Adelie penguin, these pebbles are their most prized possession. A pebble to them is equivalent to a diamond for human.

Adelie penguin uses pebbles and other small rocks to make their nests. Because they live on the frozen, barren Antartica coast, pebbles can be scarce and hard to find. Often, these penguins are notorious for stealing each other pebbles and fighting ferociously over these precious little rocks.

A Couple Adelie and their brood with one of the adult repairing their nest (top)

2 aggressive Adelie fighting ferociously over a pebble (bottom)

These precious pebbles possess yet another enchanting purpose. During courtship, the male will present the female with a pebble as a gift. If the female accepts the generous gift, they bond and mate for life. These pebbles hold considerable value and they are also symbols of affection toward a mate. It’s actually quite touching that he would give one away when he’s fighting ferociously to defend his pebbles.

A Male Adelie ‘proposing’ to the female Adelie in hope that she will accept his pebble.

This courtship/mating ritual is not only evident in the Adelie penguins, but also in the Gentoo penguins. ( Article under references, “The way to a penguin’s heart…a pebble?” )

A male Gentoo offering his pebble to the female Gentoo, with some signs of affection shown by the female.

It’s amazing how these penguins mate and treasure their pebbles. So the next time before you throw a pebble into the sea, do remember how valuable it was to someone.

Pebbles found along a beach.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Refernces

“A Tale of Two Penguins,” by Matthew. Blog.costumecraze, 26 September 2008. URL : http://blog.costumecraze.com/2008/09/a-tale-of-two-penguins (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“Day 4: Adelie Awesome,” by Rachel and Kevin Fox. Antarctic Fury, 15 February 2009. URL : http://antarctic.fury.com/13-adelie-awesome.php (accessed on 06 April 20133)

“The Adelie Penguins – Pebbles For Payment,” by Bernadette Lynn. BBC News, 04 July 2007. URL : http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-lancashire/plain/A23428631 (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“Pebbles help penguins mate,” by BBC News. BBC News, 31 March 2010. URL : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8597520.stm (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“The way to a penguin’s heart…a pebble?,” by Edinburgh Zoo. Edinburgh Zoo, 31 March 2010. URL : http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/news_0089.html (accessed on 07 April 2013)

Photos

“A Tale of Two Penguins,” by Matthew. Blog.costumecraze, 26 September 2008. URL : http://blog.costumecraze.com/2008/09/a-tale-of-two-penguins (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“Adelie Penguin,” by Dr. Richard Roscoe. Photo Volcanica.com. URL : http://www.photovolcanica.com/PenguinSpecies/Adelie/ANT09_3902.jpg (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“Penguins Marching into Your Classroom, Part 2,” by Armed With Science, 10 November 2010. URL : http://science.dodlive.mil/2010/12/14/advancing-stem-education-through-penguin-research-dispatches-from-antarctica/ (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“Today’s Picture around the world,” by Iraq Bruin. Aliraqi Community, 01 March 2011. URL : http://www.aliraqi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101892 (accessed on 08 April 2013)



Videos

“Penguin steal stones from neighbor’s nest!,” by BBC News. BBC News, 19 October 2011. URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbTZg5TGM1c (accessed on 06 April 2013)

“Adelie Penguins of Paulet Island, Antarctica,” by TennesseeAquarium. TennesseeAquarium, 30 December 2011. URL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9EbdayGTQQ (accessed on 06 April 2013)

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-