The 45 species of Antarctic birds tend to have...
- Thick inner down feathers for warmth
- Oily and waterproof outer feathers
- A greater proportion of tendons to muscles (muscles lose heat more quickly than tendons),
- Black, grey, white, and brown colors for camouflage
- Short tails and extremities to minimize heat loss
- Antarctic breeders use stones rather than vegetation for nests
All birds in the Antarctic rely on the ocean for food, and all 45 species swim or dive to some degree.
