Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Moving northward: comparison of the foraging effort of Magellanic penguins from three colonies of northern Patagonia
Author(s)
Gómez-Laich, A.;Wilson, R.P.;Sala, J.E.;Luzenti, A.;Quintana, F.
Published
2015
Publisher
Marine Biology
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-015-2681-1
Abstract
The Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus has recently colonized two new coastal sites (Islote Lobos and El Pedral), increasing the number of colonies in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Assuming foraging parameters during the breeding season to be valid short-term indicators of population health, we studied several foraging parameters of penguins from the two new established sites and from an older and well-established colony (Punta Norte) also localized in the north of Patagonia. Penguins from the recently formed colonies performed shorter foraging trips and visited waters closer to their colony than birds from Punta Norte, with penguins from Punta Norte spending almost twice the time at sea spent by penguins from El Pedral. Penguins from Punta Norte also spent more time underwater, spent a higher proportion of the complete diving cycle searching for prey, performed more wiggles (indicative of prey capture) and had fewer estimated prey captures per unit time underwater than penguins from Islote Lobos and El Pedral. This information suggests that, given no limitations on nest-site availability and no prevalence of predators, the good foraging conditions around El Pedral and Islote Lobos may be implicated in the increase in these two relatively new colonies.
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB15511