Penguin Watch Talk

Two chicks with one adult?

  • dllorenzi by dllorenzi

    Looks like there are two chicks with the penguin in the foreground, and I have seen this in other images. But nesting penguins have just one chick at a time, right? Do penguins feed each other's chicks, or am I mistaken in seeing two chicks with this one adult?

    Posted

  • gardenmaeve by gardenmaeve moderator

    No, Gentoo, Chinstraps, Adelie, Rockhopper, and Macaroni penguins- all seen on PW - lay two eggs. The right side nest here does show two chicks. The left side nest hatched only one of its two eggs. This is a normal variation. A mated pair of Gentoos feeds one chick about the same amount as it would two chicks. King and Emperor penguins lay only one egg.

    Up to 50% of all penguin chicks will not survive to adulthood.Often predators like the skua, sheathbill, and Southern giant petrels will predate eggs as well as chicks and injured adults to feed themselves and their own young.

    Please do read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) linked on every Classification page, the Talk pages, and the Home page. It is required and interesting reading to ensure you can make accurate classifications and understand what you see in these special photographs.

    Posted