Diving Behavior of Adelie Penguins Determined by Time-Depth Recorder

The diving behavior of Adélie Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae, was investigated near Syowa Station during December 1986, with time-depth recorders attached to nesting birds caring for 2- to 3-week-old chicks. Three of four recorders were recovered 150-334 hr after attachment. Most (98%) of the 587 dives recorded were less than 20 m in depth and 40% occurred between 16:00 and 20:00. Mean depths ranged from 6.1-10.9 m and maximum depth was 16.9-26.8 m. Mean and maximum dive durations were 1.4-1.9 min and 2.7-4.0 min. Ninety-seven percent of dives occurred in 44 diving bouts that averaged 25.3 min and 12.9 dives per bout. Descent and ascent rates during dives were similar in 88% of dives, meaning that the penguins dived at low angles, averaging 5°