Penguin Watch Talk

Chick or Adult?

  • WiredSimon by WiredSimon

    When we see a Juvenal bird with it's "chick" fluff still hanging on parts of its body, do we count that individual as a chick or adult?

    Posted

  • yshish by yshish moderator, translator in response to WiredSimon's comment.

    Hi,

    Please, at first look for the signs of maturity. These are Adelies - adults are black with white belly (and white circles around their eyes visible from short distances), their chicks are dark (dark brown) and fluffy with no white patches! As they get older their bellies change to dirty white (cream) colour. When you can't see the signs of maturity yet, please, mark them as chicks.

    Read THIS THREAD for the differences at other species.

    But remember, that even the adults moult(!) at the same time as chicks, so it is not always clearly distinguishable. When you can't tell it's better to mark it as adult.

    Thanks for your question. Hope it is helpful.

    Zuzi

    Posted