Weather, microclimate, and energy costs of thermoregulation for breeding Adélie Penguins.

Abstract

We measured meteorological conditions and estimated the energy costs of thermoregulation for young and adult Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) at a breeding colony near the Antarctic Peninsula. Air temperatures averaged < 5°C and strong winds were frequent. Operative temperatures (Te) for adults ranged from -8 to 28°C, averaging 5-6°C, for the period from courtship to fledging of chicks. The average energy cost of thermoregulation (Cth) for adult penguins was equivalent to 10-16% of basal metabolism. Cth comprised about 15% of the estimated daily energy budget (DEB) of incubating adults, but only about 1% of the DEB of adults feeding chicks. The Te's for chicks older than 14 days ranged from 0 to 31°C, averaging 8.0 C. The Cth for downy chicks ranged from about 31% of minimal metabolic rate (MMR) in 1 kg chicks to about 10% of MMR in 3 kg chicks. Between initial thermal independence (age 12-14 days) and the cessation of parental feeding (age 35-40 days), chicks use about 10-11% of assimilated energy for thermoregulation. Cth is equivalent to about 17% of the MMR of fledglings during their 2-3 week fast. We observed no indication of thermal stress (i.e., conditions in which birds cannot maintain stable Tb) in adults and no indication of cold stress in any age class. However, on clear, calm days when air temperature exceeds 7-10°C for several hours, downy chicks are vulnerable to lethal hyperthermia.