Atriceps Island facts for kids
 Atriceps Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 60°47′S 45°9′W / 60.783°S 45.150°W |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Atriceps Island is a small island located in the cold waters of Antarctica. It is the most southerly of the Robertson Islands. You can find it about 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) south of Coronation Island. Both of these islands are part of the South Orkney Islands.
Where is Atriceps Island?
Atriceps Island is in the South Orkney Islands. This group of islands is located in the Southern Ocean. They are part of the larger continent of Antarctica. The island is very remote and has no people living on it.
Why is Atriceps Island Special? Birds!
This island is very important for birds. BirdLife International has named it an Important Bird Area. This means it is a key place for bird populations. Atriceps Island is home to a large group of imperial shags. These birds are also known as Phalacrocorax atriceps. They come to the island to breed and raise their young. In 1988, experts counted 524 pairs of these birds living there.
How Did Atriceps Island Get its Name?
The island was named after the imperial shags that live there. The scientific name for these birds is Phalacrocorax atriceps. In 1948 and 1949, a group called the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey explored the area. They decided to name the island "Atriceps" because of the many shags they found.
