Aspects of the Breeding Biology of the Magellanic Penguin in the Falkland Islands

Abstract

Abstract The breeding biology of the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), including the timing of laying, brooding and fledging, foraging trip lengths during incubation and brooding and diet in relation to breeding success, was investigated at Volunteer Beach in the north east of the Falkland Islands during the 2001/02 breeding season. Egg-laying dates were between 12 October and 1 November, with an overall hatching success of 65%. The length of foraging trips during incubation ranged from 2-15 days. Chicks were provisioned daily during the 23 day brood period, and then at a mean interval of two days during the unattended period, until fledging occurred in late January and early February. Successful pairs laid significantly earlier and undertook shorter foraging trips during incubation and brooding compared to unsuccessful pairs. The mean breeding success of 0.2 chicks/pair was low compared to the ten year mean at the study site and was possibly due to a lower abundance of squid, which is the pre...