Penguin Watch Talk

[Backup] old FAQ - 4th AL: Breeding cycles, mating behavior, mixed colonies, site locations

  • yshish by yshish moderator, translator

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    This is a backup of the old FAQs. Click here to see the actual ones.

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    1] Breeding cycles

    2] Mating behaviour

    • When you see a penguin standing on the back of another one – it is their mating behaviour

    3] Mixed colonies

    • There are a few mixed colonies in some of the sites we are looking at. Please be aware that sometimes adult Adelies can remind one of Gentoo chicks. No need to report that you see two different penguin species in one site! But you can if you want to:) We love the Magellanic and Macaroni penguins occasionally hanging out with Rockhoppers, the more common P. species on the Falkland islands!
    • Please, do mark all the penguin species you see, no matter whether it is included in the guide or not. As long as it is a penguin (for example Magellanic or Macaroni penguin) include it in your count.

    4] Ray-like white markings around nests

    • The ray-like white markings around nests are made by pooing penguins. As they change the position while nesting they shoot it out all directions. We call it 'poo-art'! 😃
    • The birds must sit on the nests to keep their eggs warm, they cannot take a toilet break. Their poo is quite acid and would damage the protective oil on their feathers. So they expel their poo with some speed to get it well away from their bodies (and away from their eggs as well). Sometimes a penguin is hit by another penguin's poo…and so you see white / red streaks on their backs.

    5] Site locations / Rookeries

    • There are more than 50 cameras placed throughout the Southern Ocean and along the Antarctic Peninsula. Penguins come back to the same places to mate and rebuild nests every year. These places are called rookeries.

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