Gentoo and Chinstrap Chicks

• by nthrockmorton

  "Do the gentoo chicks and the chinstrap chicks play together, or do they stay apart?" [Annika]

  Posted May 7, 2015 12:28 AM

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

  Oh, that is a great question, Annika! Actually, I've never seen them playing together (which is sad). But I'll ask the scientists whether they were more lucky than me 😉

  Cheers,

  Zuzi

  Posted May 7, 2015 4:48 AM

• by nthrockmorton

  "Thanks Zuzi!" [Annika]

  Posted May 15, 2015 1:13 AM

• by caitlin.black moderator, scientist, admin

  Hi @nthrockmorton,

  Gentoos and chinstraps are direct competitors- competing for food and nest space. They do not interact much and when they do it is often aggressive. The only exception may be when predators are present and they would both benefit from fending off the predator together, but I have never seen this personally.

  It's a great question and really a fascinating relationship, especially in this colony where they breed side by side!

  Posted June 3, 2015 12:09 PM

• by banthesun

  Ooh, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for what the penguins are doing in mixed colonies when the sheathbills and skuas show up!

  Posted June 3, 2015 4:10 PM