abstract
Data on penguin density, species composition, group size and distribution were collected during the course of a seal census in pack ice in the King Haakon VII Sea, Antarctica, in January and February 1977. A total of 774 Ad閘ie and 39 emperor penguins were counted within the 0,4 km wide census strips. An area of 288,17 km2 of pack ice was censused and Ad閘ie and emperor penguins occurred at densities of 2,69 and 0,14 individuals per km2 respectively. Mean group size was 3,72 + 3,76 (n=183) and 1,17�38 (n=29) respectively. Mean pack ice concentration throughout the census was 0,48�25 tenths (n=336). Both species were seen in all ice conditions, being more numerous in open to medium ice concentrations. Emperor penguins appeared to occur mainly on very large, smooth surfaced ice floes whereas Ad閘ie penguins occurred more commonly on small, smooth surfaced ice floes where of both species were moulting when these censuses were conducted.
