number 1 spheniscidpenguin...

November. 1989 SPNSpheniscid Penguin Newsletter

In this issue

vol. 2, number 1

Penguin Workshop Scheduled 1

Recent Publications 2

New Stud ook Established 3

Individual Recognition of Humboldts 4

Studying Penguins: the First International 9

Conference

Directory: Additions and Corrections 12

More about Banding 14

November, 1989 SPNSpheniscid Penguin Newsletter

From the Editor ...

vol. 2, number 1

Penguin Workshop Scheduled

A bird workshop focussing on spheniscids and flamingos will be heldat the Western Regional Conference of the American Association of ZoologicalParks and Aquariums. The conference will be held at the Sacramento (California) Zoo, from March 25 through 27, 1990. Registra tion for the Conference is $75,and a contribution of $25 is being requested from those attending the workshop.Through theseextra fees and othercontributions from interested parties, AAZPAhopes to establish a revolving fund for providing speakers at bird workshops.As this newsletter goes to press, no finn schedule of workshop events orspeakers is yet available. For more information, contact Patty McGill-Harelstad(Humboldt SSP Coordinator), Curator of Birds, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, Illinois. Phone (312) 485-0263; FAX (312) 485-3532. n

Since our first issue in Spring1988, our mailing list has nearlydoubled, and is still growing. We arepleased to be able to serve thisgroupasa medium of information exchange.This is a time of increasing institutional cooperation (see, for example,the announcementof a new HumboldtStudbook, on page 3) and growinginterchange between those studyingspheniscids in the field, and thoseworking with them in zoological institutions.

New Features

In response to our readers, thisissue contains two features which willappear regularly (or as needed). Thefirst of these is a column of questionsand answers from readers (see p. 2).Questions sent in will be answered byconsultingdirectly with individualsorinstitutions known to have experiencein the matter, by reviewing survey infonnation, and by publishing the question to solicit replies. More complexissues, of course, will be addressed inarticles; also, statistical analysis ofsurvey information about topics suchas diet supplements, and populationsizeand structure, is goingon now andshould be completed in time for theSpring issue. But in the question andanswerformatour readerscan no doubtshed light-and provoke new thoughts--on many less involved issues.

So, if you've wonderedwhether others have observed a certain behavior, or how others deal withsome situation, put your question on apostcard and send it to us at the address on page 2.

The second feature is a column in which zoological insitutionswishing to acquire additional penguins, or send some to another zoo,

may announce their needs. (See page3.)

Relocation and Health

Another aspect of exchangingbirds among institutions is the effect ofshipping and relocation upon thehealth of the birds. Recently we corresponded with a European zoo whichhas sent out over 200 captive-bredspheniscids,and inquired as to whetherthe relocated birds suffered particularproblems. Unfortunately, the replywas that the receiving intsitutionsrarely send back such information.Here in the US, we have some indication that for Humboldts the process ofbeing shipped off to a new home, withdifferent climate, routine, etc., has often resulted in health problems such asaspergillosis. This issue was discussedat the Humboldt SSP meeting in Pittsburgh this past September, and SSPCoordinator Patty McGiIl-Harelstad ispreparingfonns which would be filledout by the sending and receiving institution and then sent on to her forcompilation and analysis. In this way

it might be possible to correlate factorssuch as time of year shipped, differences in clirnateandexhibi tcondi tions,and age, with the subsequent reactionof the penguins.

We urge our readers, whenreceiving new spheniscids, to considernotifying the sending institutions ofthe birds' health and survival over theseveral months after arrival. Ananalysis of past illnesses and dea ths following transferral, based upon existingrecords, might well yield potentiallyvaluable infonnation, should someonewish to undertake this at their own zooor at several zoos.

Wildlife Review

SPN has been accepted to thelist of journals indexed in Wildlife Review, which is published quarterly bythe US Fish and Wildlife Service. Itreviews several hundred journals, aswell as symposia and books, listingwildlife-related articles by subject,author, etc. See page 3 for more information on this very useful index. n

Recent PublicationsCompiled by Karen Dale

Barre, H. and B. Roussel. 1986. Thennal and metabolic adaptations to first cold-water immersion in juvenilepenguins. American Journal of Physiology, 251: 456-462.

Bucher, T. L. 1986. Metabolism,growth and activity inAdelie and Emperor penguin embryos. Auk, 103: 485-493.

Cherel, Y.,J.-P. Robin,O. Walsh, etal. 1988. FastinginKing Penguins.: 1. Hormonal and metabolic changes during breeding. American Journal of Physiology, 254 (2): 170177.

Cherel, Y.,J. Leloup, Y. Lemaho.1988. Fasting in KingPenguins: 2. Hormonal and metabolic changes during molt.American Journal of Physiology, 254 (2): 178-184.

Davis, R. W., J. P. Croxall, M.J. O'Connell. 1989. Thereproductive energetics of Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) andMacaroni (Eudyptes chrysolophus) penguins at SouthGeorgia. Journal of Animal Ecology, 58 (1):59-74.

DeWasmes,G.,c. Buchet, A. Geloen,etal. 1989. Sleepchanges in Emperor Penguins during fasting. AmericanJournal of Physiology, 256 (2): 476-480.

Gales, R. 1988. Sexing adult Blue Penguins by external measurements. Notornis, 35 (1): 71-75.

Ghebremeskel, K., G. Williams, 1. F. Keymer et at1989. Plasma chemstry of Rockhopper (Eudyptes crestatus), Magellanic (Spheniscus magellanicus), and Gentoo(Pygoscelis papua) wild penguins in relation to molt.Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology-A. ComparativePhysiology, 92 (1): 43-47.

Handrich, Y. 1989. Incubation water loss in Kingpenguin eggs. Physiological Zoology, 62 (1): 96-132.

Johnson, K., J. C. Bednary, S. Zack. 1987. Crestedpenguins: why are first eggs smaller. Oikos,49 (3): 347-349.

Meredith, M., F. Siu. 1988. Genetic variation of fourpopulations of the Little Blue Penguin, Eudyptula minor.Heredity, 60: 69-76.

Morgan, I. R., H.A. Westbury. 1988. Studies ofviruses in penguins in the Vestbold Hills. Hydrobiologia,165: 263-269.

Pederson, P., B. Quintana. 1987. Cheyenne MountainZoological Park's Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes crestatus) colony: Discussion and comparison of 1985 and 1986breeding seasons; Associated health and stress problems,results and plans for the future. AnnWlI Proceedings of theAmerican Association of Zoogical Parks and Aquariums, 1987:493-501.

Puddicombe, R. A., G. W. Johnston. 1988. Thebreeding season diet of Adelie penguins at the VestboldHills, East Antarctica. Hydrobiologica, 165: 239-253.

Randall, RM., B. M. Randall. 1986. The diet ofJackasspenguins (Spheniscus demersus) in Algo Bay, South Africa, and its bearing on population declines elsewhere.Biology Conservation, 37 (2): 119-134.

SPN November, 1989 page 2

Valle, c.A., M.C. Coulter. 1987. Present status of theflightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, and Greater flamingo populations in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador,after the 1982-83 El Nino. Condor, 89 (2); 276-281.

Wilson, R P., D. C. Duffy. 1986. Prey seizing inAfrican penguins, Spheniscus demersus. Ardea, 74 (2): 211214.

Wilson, RP., M. P. Wilson, D. C. Duffy et at 1989.Diving behavior and prey of the Humboldt penguin(Spheniscus humboldti). Journal fUr Ornithologie, 130 (1):~~. n

Questions and Answersfrom Readers

Q. What methods are being used successfully to increase levels of natural activities in captive spheniscids?

A. Periodically feeding live fish, providing nestingmaterial to be carried and "stolen," and having watersplashing into the pool, have all been associated with highactivity levels. Live fish are typically hatchery-raised.Nesting material used includes sticks, rocks, grasses andleaves. Splashing water, such as that from the end ofa hose,has been observed to cause the birds to swim over and overunderwater through the current, and sometimes begin to"porpoise." The effect might be lost if it were providedcontinually.

Another reader inquires as to the use of brewer'syeast as a nutritional supplement, and what side effects itmight have; has anyone had experience with this?

If you have a question, for which the experience orobservations of other readers may suggest an answer,please send it in, to the address below.

If you've got an answer to one of our questions, or justa good short suggestion relating to penguin managment orstudy, be sure to send it to us at:

SPNWashington Park Zoo4001 SW Canyon Rd.Portland, Oregon 97221USA

You-our readers-with your colIective hundreds ofyears experience with spheniscids, have many good questions and lots of answers. Let's get the two together! n

NeW" Studbook Establishedby Simon Blackwell

I have recently been appointed Regional Stud- chicks parent-reared was the deciding factor regardingbook Keeper for the Humboldt penguin in Great Britain hand-rearing and this has been the policy of virtuallyand Ireland by the National Federation of Zoological every establishment in this country for the past ten years.Gardens. Although we have no obvious problem with

Stephen McCusker has covered the 2nd and 3rd generation breeding, utilizingproblems involved in compiling a studbook, hand-reared birds, I wonder how these birdsin the first SPN so I will not repeat, just relay would cope if left to rear their own young? Isome initial observations and thoughts. would be interested in other views and expe-

l have contacted 34 collections and riences regarding hand-reared birds rearingreceived 27 replies, so far. This is a good their own chicks.response and I hope it reflects the attitude for As penguins are relatively steadyfuture cooperation. birds I think we may have to start looking at

The lack of identification in the col- CotswoI<tEngland supplemental feeding, antibiotic treatment,lections means there is no way of plotting etc. on the nest. This was mentioned bylineage. Therefore, one crucial factor is to '-----------------' Woodland Park Zoo in the last SPN. Cer-identify individual penguins as soon as possible. Then tainly some research should be carried out also looking ateach bird has to be sexed and this will give us a future the possible detriment to the adult bird making it tripleworking base. clutch long tenn.

There are many areas to investigate but initially I These are initial avenues that need to be exploredwould like to look at diet variations and supplementations and can be accessed through a studbook.relating to general condition, through egg viability to chick When the studbook is completed I will be in amortality, and blood sampling for vitamin levels, aspergil- position to present statistical information or the completeIus screening, etc. studbook for those interested. n

Another aspect I would like to look at is theconsequences of hand-rearing. The high mortality of

r SPN is published at the Washington Park Zoo, ~with production and mailing costs provided by the Zooand by a grant from the Portland Chapter of the Ameri-can Association of Zoo Keepers.

The drawing which serves as our masthead logois reproduced by kind permission of the artist, AnnMunson. Thanks to Kathy Ivanov and ElizabethMenche for many hours of word-processing.

ISSN #1045-0076.Indexed in Wildlife Review.

Editor: Cynthia CheneySchedule: Spring and Fall

Please address all correspondence to:Spheniscid Penguin NewsletterWashington Park Zoo4001 SW Canyon Rd.Portland, Oregon 97221USATelephone: (503) 226-1561FAX: (503) 226-6836

Articles for publication should be received bySeptember 1 and March 1, and should be typed if possible.

~ ~


Simon BlackwellAssistant CuratorCotswold Wildlife Park Ltd.BurfordOxford OX8 4JWEngland

Surplus listings/Wanted listings

Two adult male Blackfooted Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are available from Stanley Park Zoo, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For more infonnation,please contact Mike Macintosh, Zoo Manager, at (604)683-1040. n

Wildlife Review

Wildlife Review is published quarterly by the USFish and Wildlife Service. Hundreds of journals, in Englishand other languages, are reviewed, and relevant articlesare indexed by author, subject, geographical area, andspecies. For current subnscription rates, contact: TheGovernment PrintingOffice,Superintendent ofDocuments,Washington D.C., 20402 USA. n

Individual Recognition of

I startedmyobservationsonthe Humboldt penguin colony (45-60individuals) atEmmen Zoo, theNetherlands, in1983. All individuals had once beenbanded. However,I encountered mostof the problemsmentioned above,of which loss of

Figure 1: The breast spot pattern ofadults usunlly stays thesame over the years. In these photographs the same individunlis pictured in 1983 (above, Fig. 1a: Photo: E./. Boessenkool)and in 1989 (at right, Fig. 1b: photo: C./. Scholten).


Spot patterns

Recognition ofindividuals is an importanttoolin the bands and difficulties of reading bands from a distancemanagement of captive groups of animals (Cheney, 1989). were the most serious. I therefore looked for individualNot only is it indispensable when obtaining information differences to make possible individual recognition. As Iabout most aspects of the breeding biology-including reported earlier (Scholten, 1987), I used the spot pattern onwhether or not inbreeding occurs-but also in cases of thebreast. Other authors have realised the possibility ofinillness oraberrant behaviour it is the only way dividual recognition in penguinsof the genusto get the right individuals out for treatment. ..--------------, Spheniscus using spot patterns (Schmidt,

Zoos use many different bands for 1978; Gailey-Phipps, 1978; Leloup, 1982).identification purposes (Cheney, 1989). Leloup reported that she used drawings; soHowever, all bands have disadvantages. did I in the beginning. However the disad-When fixed around the flippers they must be vantage of drawings is, that often they canloose enough to allow for swelling during only be interpreted by the artist. Photo-moult. When birds are not in moult the aver- graphs offer a much better alternative. Iage flipper is half the crossectional size of the made a series of photographs of each pen-largest recorded moulting bird (Jarvis, 1970: Emmen guin for Emmen Zoo and experience hasBlack-footed Penguin [Spheniscus demer- The Netherlands shown that other persons can use those toosus]). Bands may be lost, even though fixed for recognition of individuals.on both flippers as was suggested by Cheney The spot pattern of adults hardly(1989) asa solution to the problem of losing bands. The loss changes over the years (figures 1a and 1b) and is thereforeof one flipper band may go unnoticed, so that loss of the' very well suited for long-term record-keeping. Juvenilessecond means all information on the bird can get lost. Also, also have spots on the breast, but the pattern can changemost bands damage the feathers slightly and some are during the moult to adult plumage (figures 2a and 2b). It isdifficult to read from a distance even with binoculars. therefore necessary to photograph each penguin again

In this paper, I suggest that individual recognition after moulting to adult plumage.of Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) may bepossible withoutbands.

Hutnboldt Penguinsby C. J. Scholten

This way of recognition enables one-once oneknows the spot patterns-to recognize the animals readilyfrom a distance without the help of binoculars as long asthey are facing the observer.

Recognition by spot patterns can be used as well inthe wild. When studying Humboldt penguins in Peru forthree months I used spot patterns to identify individuals.Handling of birds would have been very difficult there,since they were extremely shy. It involved a lot of drawing,but it worked remarkably well.

Bare facial skin

When penguins are not facing the observer, areswimming, or are in a particular phase of moult, recognition by way of the spot pattern on the breast is impossible.In those cases the black/pink pattern on the bare facial arearight behind the mandibles and around the eyes is a veryobvious pattern to use. According to Boersma (1976) everyGalapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) can be recognized by the marking on this unfeathered area. As withHumboldt penguins, the pattern on the left side of the headmay differ from that on the right.

However, a few years after my first drawings ofthese patterns, I had difficulties in recognizing animalsfrom these draw-ings. Careful studyof photographsshowed that theblack/pink patternof the bare facialarea changes overthe years, sometimes even verymarkedly (figures3a and 3b). Therefore a recogni tionsystem based on theblack/pink patternof the bare facialskin is not suitablefor a long-termstudy.

Figure 2: The breast spot pattern ofan individual in thejuvenile phase usually differs in detail fram that in the adultphase. Here the same individual is pictured as juvenile (above,Fig. 2a) and adult (at right Fig.2b). These photos, and all thatfollow, by c.r ScholtenSPN November, 1989 page 5

All Spheniscus species have a bare facial region, ofwhich the function is probably disposal of heat (Drent et aI.,1971; Stonehouse, 1967), but the exact location differs(Murphy, 1936). However, this area is not bare all the yearround. In Humboldt penguins it is covered right aftermoult by small white feathers (figure 4) which wear offfairly soon. This seems to be the case also in Galapagospenguins (Boersma, 1976).

After losing their chick down, juveniles still havefeathers completely covering their facial area (figures Saand Sb). Bare skin starts to appear somewhere between theage of about 7 months and the moult to adult plumage atabout 18 months (Scholten, i.p.).

please turn to page 6

Individual Recognition... cont'd from page 5

Figure 3: The black/pink pattern on the bare facial area may vary over the years. These photographs show the sameindividual in 1986 (left~ fig· 3a) and 1989 (right, Fig. 3b). Note the darkening of the bare skin between bill and eye.

Eyecolour

The colour of the eyes differs between individualsin Humboldt penguins. Chicks start out with grey eyes.After about 10 months all juvenileshave pale eyes (Scholten,1986). In most individuals, the colour will then graduallychange to red, but not for every individual at the samespeed. Most males have red eyes by their fourth year andmost females by their fifth year (Scholten, 1986). However,not all animals develop red eyes. Dark eyes are sometimesfound in very old birds.

Since the colour of the eyes is subject to change, thisitemcan be also be used for short-term recognition only andnot for long-tenn.

Various characteristics

All kinds of variations in the external features mayof course facilitate recognition. Aberrations in the black,and white colour marking of the feathers may be used forlong-tenn identification. Some individuals for instancehave unusual markings, such as a white stripe on theotherwise black forehead.


Other colour aberrations may only be used forshort-term identification. The black feather colour forinstance of birds that fail to moult, as sometimes happens(Scholten, i.p.), tend to fade with time, so that those birdsare brown instead of black. A female in the colony ofEmmen Zoo did not moult for two and a half years andfinally the black had turned to a pale kind of brown, somuch so that there was hardly any difference left betweenthe "black" on the head and the white head stripes (figure6).

Conclusion

For record-keeping purposes, recognition by longterm characteristics is the best. TIUs is the pattern of theblack and white feather colouring. A photo-collection ofthe birds makes banding unnecessary. Once the photocollection is established it needs only to be updated once ayear. Also, each year photos should be taken of the newjuveniles which have joined the colony and the previousyear's juveniles after they have moulted to adult plumage.

When in need of more recognition characteristicsfor a short-term study, one may use the black-pink pattern

Figure 4: Directly after moult, the "bare" facial area is stillcovered with small white feathers. These will wear off fairlysoon.

in the bare facial region, the eyecolour, and other possiblevariations in colour as explained above.

Unfortunately, chicks do not possess any obviouscolour markings. Unless there are other obvious differences between them, such as size, they should be marked ina temporary way until they lose their down and the spotsappear.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the management of EmmenZoo, The Netherlands, for allowing me to do the study inthe Zoo. The Zoo also financed air travel for my field studyin Peru. The Dr. J.L. Dobberke Foundation for Comparative Psychology covered the expenses of my stay there.

Thanks to Dr. I. G. McLean for his comments onthis paper.

And, without the support of my husband Th. W.van de Gronde this whole research project on penguinswould have been impossible.

please turn to TXlge 8

Figure 5: In young juveniles, the "bare" facial area is still covered with feathers. In these photographs the same individual ispictured at 6 months of age (left, Fig. 5a) and at 14 months of age (right, Fig. 5b).


Individual Recognition... cont'd from page 5

LITERATURE

Boersma, P.O. (1976). An ecological and behavioural studyof the Galapagos Penguin. Living Bird, 15:43-93.

Cheney, C. (1989). Banding penguins: a review of methods.Spheniscid Penguin Newsletter 1 (2): 2. 7.

Drent, R.H.and B. Stonehouse (1971). Thermoregulatory responses of the Peruvian Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 4OA: 689-710.

Gailey-Phipps, J.J. (1978). A world survey of penguins incaptivity. International Zoo Yearbook 18:7-13.

Jarvis, M.J.F. (1970). A problem in banding penguins.Ostrich 41:120-121.

Leloup, A.E. (1982). The Black-footed Penguin (Spheniscusdemersus) in ArtisZoo, Amsterdam, 1961-1982. Bijdragen tot deDierkunde 52(2): 61-81.

Murphy, R.c. (1936). Oceanic Birds of South America. Vol. 1.New York: MacMillan and American Museum of Natural History.

Schmidt, c.R. (1978). Humboldt's Penguins (SpheniscushumboldtD at Zurich Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook 18: 47-52.

Scholten, c.J. (1986). De Kolonie Humboldt-pinguine in hetNoorder Dierenpark te Emmen van 1983-1986. Unpubl. Rep.

Scholten, C. J. (1987). Breeding biology of the HumboldtPenguin (Spheniscus humboldti) at Emmen Zoo. International ZooYearbook. 26:198-204.

Scholten, C. J. (Lp.) The timing of moult in relation to age,sex, and breeding status in a group ofcaptive Humboldt Penguins(S12heniscus humboldti> at Emmen Zoo, The Netherlands. Netherlilnds Journal of Zoology. Q

C .J. ScholtenPastoriepad 79993 TL WesterwijtwerdThe Netherlands

Figure 6: The blackness of the feathers fades with time tobrown. This picture shows a female more than 2 years afterher last moult.

SELECfED ABSTRACT

Peter Dann. 1988. An experimental manipulation ofclutch size in the Little Penguin Eudyptula minor. Emu 58(2): 101-103.

In this experiment, carried out in the field, clutches ofLi ttle Penguin eggs were reduced to 1or increased to 3eggs,in order to study survival rates of chicks under theseconditions. Theories to explain the specific size of clutcheshave held that one of two causes determines clutch size:either the optimal number of offspring that the parents canrear, or the amount of energy that the female can assimilate


to produce the eggs. Approximately 30 nest sites wereinvolved. Most of the pairs given 3 eggs shifted one or moreof the eggs out of the burrow, but those which hatched 3young raised them withabout the same success rateas pairshatching only two chicks. These results indicate that thelimiting factor is females' egg-laying resources, rather thanthe pairs' ability to feed; however, the numbers involvedare small and the authors caution that the availability offood during the experiment may not have been typical.[summary by editor of Emul n

Studying Penguins: the FirstInternational ConferenceAbstracts and Titles of Papers


With Humboldt Penguins it seems to be the male whodetermines the location of the nest-site. Ecstatics are performed nearly always by males and are done a great deal inthe immediate surroundings of the nest. When a change ofnest-site occurs, the male sometimes starts giving ecstaticsat the new nest-site a year or more before actual nestingoccurs.

It is mostly the male who brings the nesting materialto the nest.

The Respective Role of Male and Female in Establishing Nest-Sites and Pair-bonds in the Humboldt Penguin(Spheniscu5 humboldti) at Emmen Zoo, the Netherlands.SCHOLTEN, C. J., Emmen Zoo, Postbus 1010, 7801 8AEmmen, The Netherlands.

Reproductive Variability and Historical Change ofMagellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at PuntaTombo Argentina. BOERSMA, P. DEE, [1,2,3] STOKES,DAVlDL., [2] and YORIO, PABLO M. [3]. Institute for Environmental Studies [1] and Department of Zoology, [2]University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, WildlifeConservation International,[3] BronxZoo, New York 10460.


At Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco, California,USA, a self-sustaining breeding colony of Black-footedpenguins (Spheniscus demersus) is displayed and maintained in a relatively small space, without the expenditureof excessive funds. With a colony size of 18 birds, includingthree to four pairs of breeders, the Penguin Environment iseconomicallyand reproductively efficient. A small keeper/bird ration with intensive keeper/bird interaction has maximized colony health and minimized mortality. Handrearing and double or triple clutching of eggs produced atotal of 19 fertile eggs during the most recent 1987-1988breeding season, with a hatch to fledge success rate of 73%.Display construction, general husbandry, and parent rearingare discussed. A protocol for hand-rearing, and data onweight and growth are presented.

The First Internationlll Conference on Penguins was Annual reproductive success at the largest continen-held in August 1988, under the auspices of the University of taIcolonyofMagellanicpenguins,locatedatPuntaTombo,Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Argentina, is highly variable. During five breeding sea-

In answer to readers' inquiries about sons, reproductive success (the mean num-obtaining copies of the papers, publication of the ,.----------, berofchicks fledged perbreeding pair) rangedConference Proceedings is scheduled for Novem- .._ from 0.02 in 1984-85 to 0.60 in 1985-86. Inber 1989; the publisher is Macmillan. -:. years of higher reproductive success, males

But in the meantime, here are the ab- arrived at the colony earlier, breeding pairsstracts of the papers presented on the four species /. occupied nests earlier, breeding adults wereof the Spheniscus genus, and title and author heavier, eggs were larger and were laid ear-information on all the other papers. These are lier. Chicks were fed more frequently, gainedreprinted from the packet ofabstracts received by weight faster and grew more rapidly as well.persons at the conference, so they will not reflect The peak of molting for juveniles was earliestany post-conference changes. Dunedin, in the year of highest reproductive success.

Thepapersshowa great breadth of work New Zealand These patterns suggest that variability inbeingdoneon penguins, including severalstudies Magellanic penguin reproductive success ison groups in zoos and aquaria. determined by changes in food resources.

Mainland colonies of Magellanic penguins along thenorthern Patagonian coast probably did not exist in the late19th century. During the first half of the 20th century thenumber of Magellanic penguins increased in the region.The colony at Punta Tombo has existed for less that 110years. The most northerly colonies, which occur on thePeninsula Valdes, have existed for only a few decades.Both the high variation in annual reproductive success andthe historical changes in colony size suggest that Magellanic penguin populations are sensitive to environmentalchanges and are not stable. High adult survival is neededto maintain this species. Conservation efforts should focuson reduction ofhuman-eaused adult mortality and protection of penguin food resources near colonies.

The Penguin Environment at Steinhart Aquarium: AModel for Successful Captive Rearing. SLAGER, c.J. Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, GoldenGate Park, San Francisco, California, 94118, United States.

Studying Penguins: the Firstcontinued from page 9

The results obtained in the Zoo are confirmed byobservations I made in the wild.

The female seems to be the one who is decisive concerning the matter of mate choice. That this seems likely Iwill try to explain from several case studies made in theZoo: 1) A case where I could follow the process of becominga pair very closely, 2) one case where a male had arelationship with two females and, 3) five cases wherepartner-ehange occurred.

Observations on what happened in the colony in theZoo in times of a surplus of males and in times of a surplusof females seems to agree with the role of male and femaleas mentioned above.

Controlled Environment Spheniscidae : Facilities,Husbandry, Propagation, Research and Conservation.TODD, F.S. Sea World Research Institute, Hubbs MarineResearch center, 1700 S. Shores Road, San Diego, California92109, USA

Despite their universal popularity, penguins haveuntil relatively recently, been poorly represented in zoological gardens. This is especially true of the far morespecialized Antarctic and sub-antarctic species. However,recent success clearly :>uggests that if proper facilities andmanagement programs are provided, even the most specialized forms can be maintained and propagated. Facilities can easily be designed to facilitate research programs.Over 1000 penguins of nine species are currently maintained in the Sea World Penguin Encounters. This paperaddresses some of the aspects involved; unit design, maintenance and husbandry techniques, biomass required, science and breeding programs, and species acquisition, etc.Since 1983, substantial captive populations of gentoo, chinstrap, macaroni, rockhopper, magellanic and king penguins have been established. All of these species werecollected as eggs which were subsequently hatched andhand-reared in San Diego. This acquisition method clearlyillustrates that it is possible to obtain penguins withoutnegatively impacting the reproductive potential of wildpopulations.

The Foraging Ecology of Spheniscid Penguins.WILSON, R., & WILSON, M.P. Institut fur Meereskunde,Dusternbrooker, Weg 20, D. 2300, Kiell, West Germany.

The four penguin species comprising the genusSpheniscus: the Humboldt Penguin S. humboldti, Magellanic Penguin S. magellanicus, African Penguin S. demer-


sus and Galapagos Penguin S. mendiculus inhabit tropicalor temperate areas. There are few data on the foragingbehaviour of non-breeding birds, but nesting Spheniscuspenguins feed almost exclusively on pelagic school fishsuch as sardines and anchovies. Penguins leave theirbreeding islands in the morning and return, after foraging,at dusk. Most foraging trips are one day but may extend upto five days when the birds have large chicks. Spheniscuspenguins at sea occur most frequently as singletons withlarger groups being exponentially less common. Penguinsnonnally travel by swimming just below the water's surface at speeds between 7and 9 km/h interspaced with restson the surface where they swim at ca. 1.5 km/h. Overall,the travelling speed is between 3 and 7 km/h. Almost allbirds appear to forage inshore within 25 km of their breeding island. In contrast to travelling birds, which normallydive for between 15 and 30 seconds, foraging penguins mayremain underwater for up to 240 seconds. The deepest diverecorded is 130 m, however most time underwater is spentat less than 10 m depth. Normal foraging dives consist ofsimple 'bounce' dives. When a school of fish is encountered, penguins in groups hunt co-operatively. The birdsswim rapidly round the fish herding them into a dense,depolarized group. Individual penguins leave the encircling group to plunge through the fish below the school.Prey are caught and swallowed underwater whilst thebirds continue circling. The conspicuous coloration ofSpheniscus penguins is thought to facilitate prey captureby confusing the schooling fish.

PAPERS ON OIHER PENCUlN SPE0E5:

Mate Choice in Penguins, DAVIS, L.S. DepartmentofZoology, University of Otago, P.O.Box 56, Dunedin, N.Z.

The Courtship Period of Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap Penguins. TRIVELPIECE, W. & lRNELPIECE, S.Point Keyes Bird Observatory, 4990 Shoreline Hwy, Stinson Beach, California 94970, USA.

Movements at Sea of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) from Phillip Island, Victoria. WEAVERS, B.W., ArthurRylah Institute, National Parks and Wildlife Division, 123Brown Street, Heidelberg,. 3084, Australia.

Fluctuations in the Adelie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) Population at Cape Bird. WILSON, G.}. Departmentof Entomology, Lincoln College. Canterbury, N.Z.

The Food, over Seven BreedingSeasons, of the AdeIiePenguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) in Prydz Bay, Antarctica.

International Conference

WHITEHEAD, M.D., JOHNSTONE, C.W. & BURTON,H.R Biology Section, Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7150, Australia.

Energetics of Moult in Penguins. ADAMS, N.J. &BROWN, CR Percy Fitzpatrick Inst. of African Ornithology, Univ. of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa.

A Method to Obtain Hand-Reared Adelie Penguinsfor Physiological Experiments. ADELUNG, D. & CULIK,B. Department of Marine Zoology, Institut fur Meereskunde, Dusternbrooker Weg 20, 2300 Kiel, FRG.

Virological Studies on Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelisadeliae). AUSTIN, F.J. MRCNZ Virus Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Evolutionary Ecologyand EthologyofPenguins;WithSpecial Reference to the Gentoo. BOST, C & JOUVENTIN,P.

Re-Pairing in Three Captive Penguin Species(Aptenodytes forsteri, A. patagonicus, and Pygoscelis adeliae) : Perspectives on the Factors Promoting Long-TermPair Bonds in the Wild. BOWLES, A.E., ELLIS-JOSEPH,S.A., TODD, F.s. Sea World Research Institute, 1700 S.Shores Rd., San Diego, CA 92109, USA.

Periodic Return of White-Flippered Penguins(Eudyptula minor albosignata) to Their Breeding Site andIts Influence on the Timing of Laying. CHALLIES, CN.Forestry Research Center, Forest Research Institute, P.O.Box 31-011, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Wind and Temperature Effects on Metabolism ofChicks and Adults of Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adelie).CHAPPEL, M.A., MORGAN, K.R. , & SOUZA, S.L. Dept.of Biology, Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.

Melatonin and Circadian Rhythms in the AdeliePenguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). COCKREM, J.F., EYNON,G.R. & WADDINGTON, D.C Ecology Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Private Bag,Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

Energy Expenditure and Travelling Speeds of FreeRanging Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) COSTA, D.P.,FADELY, B.s. & DANN, P. Long Marine Laboratory, Inst.of Marine Science, Universi ty ofCalifornia, Santa Cruz, CA95064 and Penguin Reserve Committee of Management,P.O. Box 403, Cowes, Phillip Island, Australia 3922.


Food and Feeding Habits of Crested PenguinsEudyptes. COOPER, J., BROWN, CR, GALES, RP.,MOORS, P.A., KLAGES, N.T.W., PEMBERTON, D., PercyFitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology, University of CapeTown, Rondebosch, 7700, Sou th Africa (seniorau thoronly).

Energy Budgets and Foraging Behaviour of FreeRanging Pygoscelis and Eudyptes Penguins. CROXALL,J.P. & DAVIS, RW. British Antarctic Survey, NaturalEnvironmental Research Council, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK and Sea World Research Institute,Hubbs Marine Research Center, 1700 South Shores Road,San Diego, California 92109, USA.

Fluoride Toxicity in Antarctic Penguins: ProblemsAssociated With a Krill Diet. CULIK, B. & ADELUNG, D.Department of Marine Zoology, Institut fur Meereskunde,Dusternbrooker Weg 20, 2300 Kiel, FRG.

Demography of Little Blue Penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. CULLEN, J.M. &DANN, P. Department of Zoology, Monash University,Clayton 3168, Vic., Australia; and Phillip Island PenguinReserve, Box 403, Cowes 3922, Vic. Australia.

Life-Time Reproductive output of Little Blue Penguins (Eudyptula minor). DANN, P. & CULLEN, J.M.Penguin Reserve Committee of Management, P.O. Box 403Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia, 3922 and Dept.ofZoology, Monash Univ., Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168.

The Breeding Biology of the Yellow-Eyed PenguinMegadyptes antipodes. 1]DARBY, J.T. & 2]SEDOON, P.J.1l0tagoMuseum,Great KingStreet, Dunedin, N.Z.. 2lDept.of Zoology, Univ. of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, N.z.

Behavioral Influences on Incubation Success in Captive Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). ELLIS-JOSEPH,S.A. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL60814, USA.

New Fossil Penguin Material From New Zealand andthe Early History of Penguins. FORDYCE, RE. and JONES,CM. Dept.ofGeology,Univ.ofOtago,P.O. Box56, Dunedin,New Zealand.

Free-Living Energetics of Little Penguins (Eudyptulaminor) During the Annual Cycle. GALES, RP. ZoologyDepartment, University of Tasmania, Box 252C, GPO,Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.


Studying Penguins: the Firstcontinued from page 11

Comparative Breeding Energetics of Penguins atMacquarieIslandand Heard Island. 1]GALES, R 2]GREEN,B., 2]NEWGRAIN,. K. & l]PEMBERTON, D. l]ZoologyDept., Univ. of Tasmania, Box 252C, GPO, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia, 2]Division of Wildlife and Ecology,CSIRO, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham ACf 2602, Australia.

The Breeding Energetics of Adelie penguins~seelis adeIiae) at Cape Bird, Ross Island. GREEN, B. ANDDAVIS, L.S. CSIRO j Division of Wilife and Ecology, P.O.Box 84, Lyneham, ACf 2602, Australia; and Dept. of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, N 2.

Water, Sodium and Energy Turnover in Free-qvingPenguins; A Review. GREEN, B. & GALES, R CSIRO,Division of Wildlife and Ecology, P.O. Box 84, Lyneham,ACT, 2602, Australia, and Department of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7005, Australia.

Metabolic Adaptation To Fasting. GROSCOLAS, RLaboratoire de Physiologie Animale et de la Nutrition,Universite de Bourgogne, B.p. 138,21004, Dijon, France.

The Protracted Breeding Regime of Little Penguins

(Eudyptula minor) in Western Australia. KLOMP, N.J.,MEATHREL, eE. & WooLLER, RD. Biological Sciences,Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150.

Physiology of Diving in King and Emperor Penguins.KOOYMAN, G.L. & PONGANIS, P.J. Physiological Research Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA.

Hatch Asynchrony and Brood Reduction in PenguinsLAMEY, T.e DeparbnentofZoology, UniversityofOklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA.

Snares Crested Penguins: A Preliminary Life HistoryTable. MCLEAN, I.G., JOHNS, P.M. & MISKELLY, eM.Dept. of Zoology, Univ. of Canterbury, Christchurch,N.Z.

Lower Tertiary Fossil Penguins From Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula. MILLENER, P.R Deparbnentof Subfossil Birds, National Museum, P.O. Box 457, Wellington, New Zealand.

Reproductive Success and Weight Changes DuringForagingofAdelie Penguins (Py&oseelisadeliae). MILLER,

Additions to the Directory ofThe Directory of Institutions is based solely on surveys which have been returned and processed. As institutions sendin their surveys, they are added to the Directory. A complete new Directory will appear with the Spring issue. In themeantime, please add these institutions.

iTotal Malec; Femalec: Unl<n

~~~~;~~:;;I:~;:~~;~::::::::::::::::I;:::: :::::~::::: :::::~::::::::;::::: ~~;;;;;;~~;;;;;~:::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::: ~;;~~~:Colchester Zoo Ltd. 12 2 3 7 Maldon Rd., Stanway Colchester EssexChester Zoo 35 10 10 15 Cauahall Rd. Uoton-by-Chester Chester CheshireMaClellanlcs

Zoo la Palmyre 11 o o 11 I 7570 Les Mathes Royan

•••••••••••••••• u .

Blackfooted i· t.·· ·· ·· ··· ·· ·· ···..·····..· 1 .Zoo Ja Palmyre 17 o o 17 17570 Les Mathes


International Conference

G.D. & DAVIS, L.S. Dept. of Zoology, Univ. of Otago, P.O.Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Little Penguin Diets. MONfAGUE, T. Deparbnentof Zoology, Monash Univ., Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.

Deaths of Rockhopper Penguins at Campbell IslandFrom Bacterial Infection by Pasteurella multocida. MOORS,P.}.*, TISDALL, D.}.*, & DE LISLE, G.W.**. *Department ofConservation, P.O. Box 10-420. Wellington; **CentralAnimal Health Lab., MAF, Private Bag, Upper Hutt, N.Z.

Vocalizations of the Yellow-eyed Penguin(Megadyptes antipodes). NORDIN,K.E., Department ofZoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, N.Z.

Radiocarbon (l4(:)-Dating of Adelie Penguins(~seelis adeliae) in the Ross Sea Sector of Antarctica. OELKE,H., WIRTH, U. & GEYH, M.A. Department of Zoology,Universitat Gottingen, Berliner Str. 28, D-3400 Gottingen.

Chick Recognition of Parent's Calls in Snares CrestedPenguins (Eudyptes robustus). PROFFITT, F.M. &

MCLEAN, LG. Deparbnent of Zoology, University ofCanterbury, Private Bag, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Blood Glucose Partition and Levels of GlycolyticEnzymes in Erythrocytes and Somatic Tissues of Penguins.ROSA, R, RODRIGUES, E. & BACILA, M. DepU of Biochemistry, Univ. of Sao Paulo, P.O. Box 20-780, Sao Paulo,Brazil.

Foraging Movement of Penguins, with Emphasis ona StudyofAdeliePenguins (Pygoseelis adeliae) inMcMurdoSound. SADLEIR, RM.F.5. & LAY, K.R Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 10420, Wellington, NZ., and Ecology Division, DSIR, Goddards Lane, Havelock North, N.Z.

Nest Site Selection in Yellow-Eyed Penguins(Megadyptes antipodes). SEDDON, P.}. Department ofZoology, Univ. of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, NZ.

Modelling the Niche Requirements of the YeUowEyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). SMITH, RA. NewZealand Meteorological Service, P.O. Box 722, Wellington.New Zealand.


Institutions in last issueCORRECTIONS: Please note the following errors which appeared in the Directory:

Tierpark Berlin and Zoo Koln are located in West Germany; Zoo Duisbw:g should be spelled thus.Infonnation for Societe Zoologique Granby (5. demersus) should be as follows:

347 Bourget, Granby, Quebec, J2G 1£8, Canada. Phone:: (514) 372-9113. Contact Person: FranceScott, Ass 't Veterinarian. Holdings: Total: 5; Males: 2; Females: 1; Unknown: 2.

: :. ......................................... .......................~ ~ .

.§r.~9.t~:..i.~~!.C! !.p..?~.?.I3~ l?.~.?.}~.~.U~.~~9.~ 1!?.L.~9.c.s::~F!.!~.~!.t!~9.~.!?!.C~ ..~p..c. .Great Britain C03 5RT ~(0206) 330253 1Annetee E. Burns/Penquin KorGreat Britain CH21LN 1CHester (0244) 380280 1Roqer Wilkinson/Curator of Birds

France 146-22-46-06 1T. Petit/Veterinarian........................................ ·····················r··················································1···························..··..···· .

France 146-22-46-06 1T. Petit/Veterinarian........................................ ·····················T·····························..···················1·························..·········· .


Studying Penguins: The First International Conferencecontinued from page 13

Mutual Calls and Mate Recognition in Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). SPIERS, E.A.H. Department ofZoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin,N.Z.

Status and Trends of Adelie Penguin Populations inthe Ross Sea Region. TAYLOR, RH.; WILSON, P.R &THOMAS, B.W. Ecology Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Private Bag, Nelson, N.Z,

Nest Site Tenacity, Mate Fidelity, and CourtshipBehaviour of Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap Penguins.TRIVELPIECE, W.Z. Point Reyes Bird Observatory, 4990Shoreline Highway, Stinson Beach, CA 94970, USA.

Effects of a Change in Food Supply on Growth Rates,Fledging Sizes and Reproductive Success in the YellowEyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). VAN HEEZIK,Y.M. Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O.Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.

An Experimental Analysis of Agonistic Behaviour inLittle Blue Penguins (Eudyptula minor). WAAS, J.RDepartment of Zoology, University of Canterbury,Christchurch 1, New Zealand.

POSTERS:

The Pliocene Penguin - Tereingaornis moisleyi, Distribution and Predation by Other Vertebrates. MCKEE,J.W.A., P.O. Box 5085, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Why Do Erect-erested Penguins Kick Out Their FirstEgg When the Second Egg is Laid? WAAS, J.R & MISKELLY, CM. Department of Zoology, University ofCanterbury, Christchurch 1, New Zealand.

Crested Penguins of the Western Chain, Snares Islands: Research Proposal. MISKELLY, CM. & WAAS, J.R.Dept.of Zoology, Univ. of Canterbury, Christchurch 1,New Zealand. n

More about Banding:Notes on individual identification used at Cotswold

With some small penguin groups in captivity thekeeper has his own names for them, etc., and identifiesbirds by habit. But this is never a secure method, especiallyif the keeper moves on. All informal data is easily changedand therefore should not be used as an official record.

At the Park, whereour current holding includes 9.9Spheniscus humboldti and 3.2 Eudyptes chrysocome, wehave for the past 10 years utilized wing banding. We usestainless steel bands that fold, by hand, at the narrowestpart of the wing nearest to the body. The band, like anelongated ring, is 13 mm (0.512 inch) wide and 1 mm (0.039inch) thick with an internal measurement of 35 mm (1.378inch). The bands are numbered and placed on the rightwing for males and on the left for females. It is possible thatin future the bands will be anodised to facilitate a colourcode discernible from a distance.

We have never had any problems with using thismethod. I have heard of the band being rubbed against arock surface and creating a sharp edge to the band, but thismust take some time, so should be observed, and the bandcan be changed. Another problem, that has affected usslightly, is that the band expands during premoult as thebird increases weight. After the moult theband can be loose


and possibly fall off.We have not tried plastic bands and have always

thought leg rings to be highly impractical and possibly detrimental, long term, on such a short leg.

AIl methods are subject to some disadvantage butare ideal for immediate identification. A more exact secondary solution is to identify all adult spheniscids also withbreast or inner wing pattern records, either photograph ordrawing. This would back up/confirm any 'in house'identity system.

Whatever system is used I feel it has to be one thatensures without doubt the permanent identity of the bird,especially for lineage and demographic analysis via a studbook.

SoURCE OF MATERIALS MENTIONED IN TEXT:

Aluminum wing bands are available fromLambourne's Colman House, Station Rd., Knowle, WestMidlands B93 OHI England. n

Simon BlackwellAssistant CuratorCotswold Wildlife ParkOxford, England