Subantarctic penguin unexpectedly visited Akademik Vernadsky station

A subantarctic penguin unexpectedly visited the Ukrainian Antarctic station Akademik Vernadsky in the middle of winter. The National Antarctic Research Center reported on the unusual guest.

The penguin appeared at the main entrance to the building, walked around the station for a while, looked into the diesel engine and headed on. As noted by Zoya Shvydka, a biologist with the 30th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition, such isolated visits have been recorded before, but this is the first time the bird has come so close to the premises.

"Maybe it was already scouting new nesting sites in the spring? Or did it read our post that the head of the 30th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition was making delicious pancakes on Midwinter?" the scientists joke.

Usually, subantarctic penguins leave Galindez Island en masse in May, as the water area around the station is covered with ice in winter. These birds migrate north, closer to open water, where it is easier to hunt.

Recall that it is winter in Antarctica and in the Southern Hemisphere in general. The mating season of penguins at the Vernadsky Station traditionally begins with the arrival of the Antarctic spring.

The subarctic penguin is a large penguin with a white triangle above each eye, they are connected by a thin white stripe above the back crown, rare white feathers grow in other places on the dark head. The rest of the head, neck and back are dark gray, the beak and legs are bright orange. Their long tail is hanging from side to side when walking.

Recall that polar explorers at the Vernadsky Antarctic Station filmed the phenomenon of pargelium - three Suns in the sky.