Feeding biology and energetics of King Aptenodytes patagonicus and Gentoo Pygoscelis papua Penguins at sub-Antarctic Marion Island

Abstract

Adaptations of penguins for pursuit diving have resulted in reduced foraging ranges, compared to volant seabirds. However, their classification as inshore, offshore or pelagic foragers, based on rates of food provisioning to chicks, still has merit as a framework around which aspects of their feeding biology and allocation of energy within individual energy budgets may be discussed. The average rates at which seabird species supply food to chicks may influence many aspects of their biology. I defined some of the foraging parameters of the pelagic feeding King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus and the inshore feeding Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua at sub-Antarctic Marion Island.