Avian Island facts for kids
 Avian Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 67°46′15″S 68°53′10″W / 67.770876°S 68.886246°W ACoordinates: Extra unexpected parameters |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Avian Island is a small island located in Antarctica. It is about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) long. The island also rises about 40 meters (130 feet) high. You can find it very close to the southern tip of Adelaide Island.
Discovering Avian Island
A French team first discovered Avian Island. This group was on an expedition between 1908 and 1910. Their leader was Jean-Baptiste Charcot. Later, in 1948, another group visited the island. This was the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey. They gave the island its name. They called it "Avian" because they found many different kinds of birds there. "Avian" means "related to birds."
Birds of Avian Island
Avian Island is a very special place for birds. BirdLife International has named it an Important Bird Area. This means it's a key spot for bird conservation. The island is home to a huge number of breeding birds.
Some of the birds you can find here include:
- About 35,000 pairs of Adélie penguins.
- Around 670 pairs of imperial shags.
- About 880 pairs of south polar skuas.
- Around 250 pairs of southern giant petrels.
- Many kelp gulls.
- Many Wilson's storm petrels.
Avian Island also holds a special record. It is the southernmost place where brown skuas are known to breed.
Protecting Avian Island
Because of its amazing bird life, Avian Island is protected. It is known as Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 117. This protection helps keep the island safe for its birds. It also helps scientists study them.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Avian para niños
