Antarctic Shags & Adelie Penguins

Here is an Antarctic Shag near Paulet Island in front of some Adelie Penguins and other shags. Many seabirds have evolved a form of camouflage called countershading. They are black on the back and white underneath. If a predator looks down from above, the surface of the ocean looks dark, and a black back will be difficult to see. If a predator in the sea looks up from underwater, the surface of the ocean looks light because of the reflection of the sky, and a white belly will be difficult to see. The white belly also will be more difficult for their prey to see. The color configuration also helps the birds to regulate their body temperature. Birds who spend most of their life in frigid water need black feathers on their back to absorb as much heat as possible. But in the summer during the nesting season, they can turn their white breast toward the sun to reflect heat. Black feathers contain the pigment melanin that makes them more durable. Feathers of birds living in the middle of the sea, exposed to the elements, will suffer greater wear and tear than the feathers of birds in a more sheltered environment.

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