Penguin Watch Talk

Animal classification between moults

  • srcdasilva by srcdasilva

    There is an option to classify penguins as chicks or adults, but how should we classify those in moult? I am not familiar with avian physiology, and am not sure if an animal in moult would be denoted as "chick" or "adult." Thoughts?

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  • AvastMH by AvastMH moderator

    Hi srcdasilva!

    Yes there is a moment of transition for chicks to adulthood when they fledge. At that point they might get the odd feed from the parent, but essentially they have to move off and start feeding themselves. Penguins feathers lead a hard life, so the adults need to change their feathers rapidly between raising their young, and the winter starting. Consequently the adults moult at a very similar time as the chicks moult.

    So with these coincident events we reach that 'is it an adult moulting, or a chick fledging to become an adult' moment. The scientists decided that they wanted us to mark the penguins as an adult if we were in doubt.

    Check out FAQ3 for identification help of adult v. chick: https://talk.penguinwatch.org/#/boards/BPZ0000007/discussions/DPZ0000ac2

    Hope this helps 😃

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  • srcdasilva by srcdasilva in response to AvastMH's comment.

    Thank you @AvastMH! I will classify as such from now on.

    All the best,
    Sara

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  • AvastMH by AvastMH moderator

    You're very welcome Sara! 😄 And many thanks for all your work here! Joan (AvastMH)

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