These penguins nest and breed on the rocky, ice-free beaches in large colonies of ten thousands of birds. There are over 2.5 million breeding pairs living in the Antarctica region. These penguins are one of the stiff-tailed penguins with long tail feathers that drags the ground when they walk. They have a white belly with a black head and back. They have a white ring around the eye.
Feathers cover most of the short beak.
They are powerful swimmers and can jump straight out of the water onto the land. They often move on the land by sledding down hills on their bellies. Adelies build their nests of pebbles on the rocky beaches of Antarctica. After bonding and mating, the female lays 2 eggs in the nest. The male then takes over the job of keeping the egg warm by holding it on the tops of his feet or laying on the egg in the nest.