The Power of Observation Webcam technology helps students investigate the wonder of Adélie penguin breeding near Palmer Station, Antarctica

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1 Version The Power of Observation Webcam technology helps students investigate the wonder of Adélie penguin breeding near Palmer Station, Antarctica Beth E. Simmons Palmer LTER Education/Outreach & Renee Fudala STEM Academy, Sandwich, Massachusetts LEARNING ABOUT THE ADÉLIE PENGUIN PENGUIN WEBCAM TECHNOLOGY Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are flightless, endothermic (warm blooded) birds that will live until about the age of ten, but their lifespan can be as long as twenty years. They are equipped with a highly developed respiratory system that prepares them for a life on land (breeding) and in the sea (feeding). Their shape, coloration, what they eat, when they eat, where they go on land, how they breed and, ultimately, their geographic range and distribution are all influenced by the sea. Cold regions like Antarctica and its surrounding waters provide the conditions necessary for penguin survival. Standing approximately inches tall, Adélies weigh up to twelve pounds, and have a stiff tail (14-18 inches long) for aiding them in standing upright. Adélies also have a well developed sense of hearing, which is essential for vocalizations when parents need to recognize their mate as well as the hear the calls of their chicks (Davis et. al. 2003). Scientists from the Palmer Long Term Ecological research (LTER) project have invested over thirty years to studying Adélie penguin colonies even though the species have lived along the western Antarctic Beth E. Simmons Peninsula (WAP) for at least 600 years. This long term research has expanded to include two sub Antarctic species, the Chinstrap (Pygoscelis Antarctica) and the Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) who are living and breeding successfully on islands in close proximity to the few remaining Adélie penguin breeding colonies near Palmer station (Ducklow et al. 2007). ADAPTATIONS AND EVOLUTION Adélie penguins have a streamlined body which effectively reduces drag and helps them swim efficiently in the water. They are supplied with a thin sub-dermal layer of fat although it is their feathers that provide the most insulation. Both the primary feathers and the downy feathers interlock together trapping air between the layers of the body insulating them from the extreme cold temperatures and the sea water. With about eighty feathers per square inch, these penguins have more than any other bird. It is the quill of each downy feather that helps to trap warm air near the penguin s skin (Davis et. al. 2003) The Adélies color of black backs and white bellies is called counter shading. This aids the penguin in camouflaging, as well as increases their hunting success from predators. These fascinating penguins also have almond-shaped glands beneath the skin and above their eyes that help them to filter out salt. As the salt drips down the beak of the penguin, they make a sneeze-like sound that creates a great noise in the rookery. 1 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

2 PENGUINS ARE MADE TO SWIM Penguins have given up the ability to fly and instead have evolved incredibly streamlined bodies with short, powerful flippers plus webbed feet that efficiently aid them in steering and propulsion through the water up to 1 miles per hour. Dives can last over minutes but are concentrated toward the first 0 meters in the water as they are visual predators who's trips are impacted by light penetration in the water column. These adaptations have gained them an advantage in acquiring huge food resources, such as krill (Euphausia superba and E. crystallorophias), squid, and Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum). Penguins use their extremely sharp and powerful hooked beaks to catch their prey. Their tongue has a rough velcro-like texture that allows them to hold slippery prey and then swallow it whole. They are very determined and successful long distance walkers too, even though their short legs restrict them to a waddling march on land. GENDER DIFFERENCES Male and female Adélie penguins look alike except for slight differences in bill sizes. Males can be slightly larger than females with a longer bill length. The only other ways to accurately identify the female from the male penguin is by closely observing mating behavior, DNA analysis, and internal examinations. As birds, they lay eggs that must be incubated on land and kept warm for over 3 days. Males and female penguins share the task of incubation (Davis et. al. 2003). BREEDING The stages in the breeding cycle are highly synchronize to the Antarctic summer (October to April). This allows Adélies to take advantage of less sea ice and a peak in food resources that occur at that time. Penguins use their nest site as a rendezvous point; a place where male and females meet and breed. The average age for females to breed is at five years; for males it is around six years. Migration to the colony occurs around October with males arriving approximately three to four days to the site before the females. The males take on most of the nest building duties. Females can lay up to two large white eggs the slightly larger than a baseball. HATCHING & REARING THEIR YOUNG Male penguins assist the females in rearing the chicks, because the bird that is brooding the eggs is unable to forage for food. Once the eggs are laid, both parents alternate every 1-3 days incubating the eggs and feeding at sea. This guard phase can last up to 22 days. Penguins are challenged to live between two distinct worlds to balance their time actively hunting for prey at sea with time required on land to breed and raise chicks successfully. Penguin chicks hatch in a semi-precocial state with eyes open, covered with soft down. For the first two or three weeks chicks must be brooded to protect them from predators like skua birds, and seals as well as environmental influences like drastic temperature changes (Montaigne, 2010). PENGUIN WEBCAM TECHNOLOGY Beth E. Simmons Figure 1: Adélie broods egg to protect it from predators. 2 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

3 PENGUIN WEBCAM TECHNOLOGY Figure 2: Torgersen Island located S, 64 04W Arthur Harbor, southwest Anvers Island is home to Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding colonies. Palmer Long Term Ecological research program has been monitoring the birds and visitor impacts for over thirty years. FORAGING FOR FOOD The further penguins travel to acquire their food supply, the longer they are away from their nest and their chicks. This sets up a range of consequences for penguins traveling a long way to feed almost exclusively on their favorite food source, krill (Euphausia superba). In the harsh environment of the Antarctic, it takes Adélies several years to learn how to feed themselves well enough to survive periods of prolonged fasting in order to successfully incubate and nourish their own chicks (Davis et. al., 2003). How close foraging areas are to breeding colonies is an important factor given the amount of energy expended by breeding parents needing to travel and then return to feed and protect their chicks. Rookery life of Adélie penguins has its advantages, including better defense against predators, the assembling of a critical mass of birds for breeding, and greater ease of finding prey by following fellow colony members to good feeding grounds. The Adélie penguin naturally knows that once they arrive in late September to mid October, they must mate promptly so that their chicks hatch just as prey abundance peaks in the summer and food is plentiful. Penguins forage on schooling fish, krill (Euphausiids) and to a lesser extent, squid. Krill (Euphausia superba) makes up % of the diet of the Adélie penguins by mass and are loaded with protein. Adélies are migrants and need to be away from the nest for longer periods of time in order to find high densities of food to replenish their high energy needs. Offshore foragers feed at relatively far distances from their colony and have long fasts during incubation. The female is out actively foraging for days; when she returns the male heads out to feed returning in an average of days. WARMING CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Global climate change is resulting in shifting ocean currents, rising temperatures and melting ice sheets near Palmer station. Penguins are feeling the change. The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) region is changing at an astonishing rate with mid-winter temperatures showing a 6 C increase which is five times the global average. The greater western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) has also shown a 40% decrease in sea ice season, shortened by almost three months. The reduction in sea ice is affecting ocean productivity of marine organisms; including the food source for the Adélie penguins, krill. Penguins rely primarily on krill for the majority of their diet and young krill feed on algae located on the underside of the ice. When sea ice decreases, less ice algae is produced and this leads to a decrease in growing krill populations. The cascading effects can be seen throughout the food web (Montaigne, 2010). 3 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

4 ACTIVITY OVERVIEW: Students have varying levels of abilities in making observations and forming conclusions in science. They know what they are seeing or hearing but have difficulty communicating that to others. Without specific instruction in how to make observations more exact and detailed, students may form vague, or simplistic points-of-view. Observation is used at all stages of scientific inquiry: as a stimulus for raising questions, in linking earlier experiences to new encounters, in gathering information, and in finding patterns and relationships between events and objects. In this activity, students will be in-the-field using the Penguin Webcam to make a series of detailed observations associated with the breeding and survival of the Adélie penguin over the course of the Antarctic peninsula summer season. Sessions will run approximately minutes in length. Note: See modifications for classrooms unable to use the webcam technology. Students will be assigned to observe a specific colony of penguins on Torgersen Island and record detailed descriptions of the colonies physical appearance, penguin interactions, behaviors and the environmental influences. This might also include size/ shape, color patterns, habitat, field nests, songs, or calls. TEACHING NOTES / MODIFICATIONS: To begin this lesson, students should spend some time reading the background information on Adélie penguins to familiarize themselves with the research of the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research program Teachers may also want to assign a review of the vocabulary words embedded in the reading as well as discuss definitions once students have highlighted the words in the background reading for homework. This may be new content and it may also be helpful to discuss with students the keys to making observations. Modeling strategies that assist students in organizing their journals during the observation sessions will help them in collecting data. Teachers may also want to distinguish between what direct observations are versus inferences when collecting data. An observation is the ability to use your senses to gather information; an inference is drawing a conclusion based on this observation. If classroom does not have LIVE access to penguin cam to watch streaming sessions you can use the online webcam on Palmer LTER website to conduct observations This camera takes active snapshots of the penguin colonies on Torgersen Island every 1 seconds throughout the breeding season. Students may also use the sample photographs on each of the six student observation sheets in this lesson as a preliminary approach to learning about the stages of penguin breeding. Teachers can conduct classroom discussions as a group following these analysis to add more specific details about the breeding behaviors and reproductive success of the Adélie penguins." TIME: (-6) 30 - minute Observation Sessions SUBJECT: Technology, Marine Biology, Physical Science, Ecology TARGET AUDIENCE: 7-8 Grade PRIOR KNOWLEDGE Before starting this activity, students should have a basic knowledge of Antarctica Peninsula ecosystem and sea ice changes. See OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES Track and journal the breeding and reproductive success of the Adelie penguin Distinguish between making observations and inferences in understanding the climate system Collect qualitative data through observations, field notes, journals, discussions and analysis Explain climate s role in Adélie penguin adaptations and the challenges the species face Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach 4

5 Next Generation Science Standards MS-LS1-4. Explain, based on evidence, how characteristic animal behaviors increase the probability of successful reproduction of animals. MS-S2-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of periods of abundant and scarce resources on the growth of organisms and the number of organisms (size of populations) in an ecosystem. MS-LS2-4. Analyze data to provide evidence that disruptions (natural or human-made) to any physical or biological component of an ecosystem can lead to shifts in all its populations. Massachusetts Technology Literacy Standards Standard 3. Demonstrate the ability to use technology for research, critical thin king, problem solving, decision making, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Research G6-8: 3.2 Collect, organize, and analyze digital information from a variety of sources, with attribution. G6-8: 3.3 Use a variety of computing devices to collect, analyze, and present information for curriculum assignments (webcam technology) Problem Solving G6-8: 3.4 Independently use appropriate technology tools (e.g., graphic organizer) to define problems and propose hypotheses. G6-8: 3. Use and modify and spreadsheets to analyze data and propose solutions. Correlating Climate Literacy Standards EP 3: Life on Earth Depends on, is shaped by and affects climate. 3a: Climate s role in habitats ranges and adaptation of species to climate change. EP 7: Climate change will have consequences for the Earth system and human lives. 7e: Ecosystems on land and in the ocean have been and will continue to be disturbed by climate change. Beth E. Simmons Figure 3: (2010) Torgersen Island Adelie penguin colony with Palmer Station in the background. Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

6 Adelie (Pygoscelis adeliae) - a gregarious and territorial penguin of Antarctica; adults have a distinctive white ring around the eye. Anvers Island - a high mountainous island 61 km long, the largest in the Palmer Archipelago of Antarctica. Behavior the way in which an animal acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus; examples include breeding, nest-building, mating, hatching, feeding, fledgling. Brood patch- a patch of featherless skin that is visible on the abdomen of birds during the nesting season; well supplied with blood vessels at the surface making it possible for birds to transfer heat to their eggs when incubating. Climate - average weather for a particular region over relatively long periods of time. Camouflage - an adaptation that enables an organism to blend in with their environment and increase their chances for survival. Counter shading - protective coloration of some animals in which parts normally in shadow are light and those exposed to the sky are dark. Chinstrap (Pygoscelis Antarctica) - narrow band of black feathers from ear to ear under its chin; breeds on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands. Torgersen Island - small rocky island at the entrance to Arthur Harbor, off the south-west coast of Anvers Island in the Palmer Archipelago of Antarctica. Ecosystem - a biological (living) community of organisms interacting with the physical (nonliving) environment. Endothermic - warm blooded; dependent on and capable of the internal generation of heat. Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) - subantarctic penguin species with a gray back and throat, white abdomen and bright orange beak. Habitat - an area where an organism normally lives which includes everything it needs to survive (food, water, shelter, space requirements). Homeostasis -steady-state of being. Incubation - the act of using body heat to keep eggs at an optimum temperature for healthy development and hatching. Krill - small marine shrimp-like planktonic crustaceans of the order Euphausiacea that are the principal food for penguins and whales. Mortality - the number of deaths in a given area, or from a particular cause. Molting - shedding old feathers to make way for new growth. Migration - the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another. Offspring - an animal's young. Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTT s)- a form of satellite telemetry; special piece of tracking equipment which sends a message to a satellite about location of penguin. Population - a particular type of animal living in a specific area. Predator - an organism that exists by preying on and eating other organisms. Prey - an animal that is hunted for food. Preening - to smooth, trim or clean feathers with the beak or bill. Range - the distribution of a species in a geographical area. Regurgitate - to bring swallowed food up again to the mouth to feed chicks. Rookery - a nest or breeding place for a colony of birds. Semi - precocial state - a bird that has hatched with its eyes open, covered with down and capable of leaving the nest soon after hatching, but stay at the nest and are fed by parents. Southern Hemisphere - the half of the Earth south of the equator. Species - a group of living organisms with common genes; characteristics or qualities. Stimulus - something causing a response in an organism. Territory - the area that is occupied by an animal in which it defends. Thermoregulation - the process that allows an organism to maintain its core internal body temperature. Weather - conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time. V O C A B U L A R Y Western Antarctic Peninsula - northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica; covered with an ice sheet; extends from Cape Adams to Eklund Islands, a distance of 1300 km. 6 BETH E. SIMMONS / PALMER LTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

7 MATERIALS Palmer LTER Torgersen Island Web Camera access a. Access: b. United States Antarctic Program: Field Notebooks / Science Journals Technology: Lap tops or ibooks or ipads (individual observations) vs. (optional) computer projector (class observations) PROCEDURE: 1) Set Up: You may access the webcam via Each individual session will walk students through the different stages of penguin breeding during the months of October - February, the Antarctic summer. Times and schedule of LIVE webcam sessions will be posted on the Palmer webpage. Note: Scheduled times may not work for all teachers. The online webcam takes photographs every 1 seconds which can be downloaded by students and archived for observations during class times. You will want to consider making regularly scheduled observations to be able to successfully witness or capture the different stages. 2) Prior Knowledge/Hypothesis: Begin by writing an opening statement in your field journal to include questions you would like to find out about the Adélie penguins. Students should be prompted to include their preliminary statements regarding the relationship between penguin animal behaviors and the requirements for survival in the Antarctic. These preliminary questions and statements may include a hypothesis. 3.) Field Notebooks: Many tools are used in observation, although in this exercise students will be relying on the sense of sight. Observations made by students yield their qualitative data. Begin field notes with time of day, length of observation and location/site. 4) Collect Data: Students should be encouraged to collect data during their observation sessions although the teacher should distinguish between direct observations versus inferences as students try to figure out what their observations mean..) Make Observations: session time is limited to approximately minutes during the LIVE sessions. Students should attempt to observe the same Adélie penguin pair or group in the colony throughout each session using the Keys to Observation. Teachers may want to prompt students with: How many penguins are in the colony you are observing? Create a list of different behaviors you observe? What is the most common behavior you see? What can you infer about the penguin behaviors you see? How do you know if your penguin has a mate? How is the penguin defending itself? How does this penguin interact with other penguins? Do you observe any other unusual features or behaviors? 6.) Discussions: Classes should engage collaboratively in discussions about the penguin behaviors they observed, generate questions and be given additional time to immediately clarify thoughts in their journals after a session. Teachers may want to employ Critical Friends to evaluate field notebooks and provide friendly advice. 7.) Consider This Students need to also generate a list of challenges penguins face as they breed in a regions associated with climate change. 8.) Assessment: Students design a science poster/photobook that outlines the breeding stages of the Adelie penguin. They include their hypothesis statements and qualitative data, proving that the inferences they made are directly related to the behavior they observed in the penguins. Poster should also showcase the challenges the species face in light of climate change. Students are assessed with a rubric on their field notebooks, participation, and their poster/photobook. KEYS TO EXPLORATION & DISCOVERY Observation is the cornerstone of the inquiry process. When making observations, you gather evidence, organize ideas, and propose explanations to practical problems. The keys to good observations are recognizing, sharing ideas, finding inspiration, exploring literature, recording data and communicating your findings. - Time of Day Length of Observation Location Forming Questions Describe habitat Size/Shape of Colony Number of Penguin Nests Number of Breeding Pairs Number of Pairs with Eggs Drawings/Illustrations/Symbols Coloration of Penguin Behaviors and Frequency of Behaviors/Actions Songs or Calls of Penguins. Reference Point? (What are you comparing something to?) Patterns of Behaviors Movement(s) Supporting Details Other Environmental Factors influencing behaviors of penguins What emerges from the data collected (patterns, themes, rituals) Communicate Findings - 7 BETH E. SIMMONS / PALMER LTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

8 ASSESSMENT: To assess student learning during their observations, use a simple performance rubric that addresses group work but also the nature and content associated with their observations. Content assessment should be divided into the six stages of observations i.e. arrival/courtship, nest building, egg laying, hatching, feeding/care, fledging. PERFORMANCE RUBRIC CRITERIA POINT SELF TEACHER COMMENTS Active participation in group observations OBSERVATIONS Appropriate techniques employed to display data in field notebooks. Key elements (dates, titles, locations, numbers) are present. Hypothesis and leading questions listed in field notebook Distinguishes between observations/ Inferences & includes illustrations, diagrams and qualitative data. Explanations are based on prior scientific knowledge, and includes background content from reading. Conclusions are clearly and logically communicated Journal is complete (all stages present) Student explains the behaviors associated with courtship. POSTER CONTENT Student successfully identifies characteristics/behaviors involved in building a nest. Student lists some struggles penguins face during the egg-laying phase and describes the success of eggs hatching. Student able to explain what behaviors are involved in feeding/caring for chick? Student able to explain the length of time and behaviors associated with chicks fledging from nest? Student outlines breeding stages of Adélie Hypothesis and qualitative data present Poster is organized and includes illustrations from field notebook. Showcases the challenges the species face in light of climate change. Student able to communicate their research TOTAL 100 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach 8 besimmons@oceaningenuity.org

9 BROADER CONNECTIONS: Students will understand the relationship between Adélie penguins and their environment and the impact of climate change on the breeding success of the Adélie penguins near Palmer station. After these observation sessions, teachers may want to complete additional investigations to continue to explore the implications of these changes and how scientists gather evidence to track the impacts over time. As a culminating activity in the curriculum, students are encouraged to investigate marine protected areas of the Southern Ocean and discuss conservation measures while considering ways in which their lifestyles impact the environment. REFERENCES: OTHER RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Ainley, D.G. (2002). The Adélie Penguin: Bellwether of Climate Change. New York: Columbia University Press. Dave, Lloyd S & Martin Renner (2003) Penguins. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. Ducklow et al. (2007) Marine Pelagic Ecosystems: the West Antarctic Peninsula. Phil.Trans.R.Soc. B Ecosystems., 362, 67-94, Palmer LTER Contribution #0286. Fraser, W. R., and D. L. Patterson (1997) Human Disturbance and Long-Term Changes in Adélie Penguin Populations: A Natural Experiment at Palmer Station, Antarctic Peninsula. In Antarctic Communities: Species, Structure and Survival, eds. B. Battaglia, J. Valencia, and D. W. H. Walton, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Montaigne, Fen (2010) Fraser s Penguins: A Journey to the Future in Antarctica. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. Schofield, Oscar et. al. (2010) How Do Polar Marine Ecosystems Respond to Rapid Climate Change? Science, Vol.328, 18 June 2010 p Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program: 2. Palmer LTER Multimedia (video, audio, photographs): 3. Sea Secrets: Tiny Clues to a Big Mystery, Moonlight Publishing, Layfayette, Colorado. ISBN 10: pp New England Aquarium Penguins Teacher Guide: teachers_resources/guides/penguin_teacherguide.pdf. PenguinScience: Understanding Penguin Responses to Climate and Ecosystem Change: 9 BETH E. SIMMONS / PALMER LTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

10 Beth E. Simmons FIRST OBSERVATION: ARRIVAL / COURTSHIP Students observe the arrival of the Adélie Penguins on Torgersen Island. Penguins will greet each other with loud mutual display and head bobbing as they issue their call again and again for ten seconds or more. The call is both a greeting and an identification tool as Adélies recognize each other and their chicks by voice. Students observe and document the behaviors associated with arrival and mating. Courtship behaviors may include silently bowing to their mate, depositing stones on the nest, beak tapping, flipper flapping, ecstatic displays, standing chest to chest with heads raised, or swaying from side to side (mutual display), bowing, one-eyed stare or vocal calls. Objective Students document and described the variety of courtship behaviors their pair (or the colony) is displaying. besimmons@oceaningenuity.org 10 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

11 Beth E. Simmons SECOND OBSERVATION: NEST BUILDING When Adélies arrive back at their former nesting spot, they will let loose with what is known as the loud mutual display leaning over, the penguin will release a loud staccato trumpeting sound. This is considered the defining sound of an Adélie penguin. Adélies spend quite a bit of time constructing cup-shaped nests by taking pebbles from the open ground and delicately placing them in a pile. Students will notice that pebble thievery is common in Adélie penguin colonies. The male penguin does most of the nest building. Nests are often only about twenty-five to thirty inches apart from center to center, the closeness of nests can create conflict between the penguins, but can also help them to fend off predators. Objective: Students document the Adélies strategies for nest building, location of nests and illustrate a typical colony. besimmons@oceaningenuity.org 11 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

12 Beth E. Simmons THIRD OBSERVATION: EGG LAYING The peak of the Adélie penguin egg laying relies on both the timing and the success of the Adélie reproductive season. Females usually lay two eggs in a clutch. Once the eggs are laid, both parents alternate incubating the eggs (~ 3 days) and feeding at sea for days to replenish their body preserves. Students should look for penguins brood patch visible on the underside of the bird. The birds use it to transfer body heat to the eggs during incubation. Predation during this time include skuas or seals disrupting the colony. Objective: Students record the date and number of eggs successfully laid by the pair they are watching and any related behaviors within the colony during this time. besimmons@oceaningenuity.org 12 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

13 FOURTH OBSERVATION: HATCHING Most adult Adélie eggs hatch between November and December. Adults can be found leaning over the eggs they re chicks and issuing their greeting and identification call they recognize each other by voice. After a recent foraging expedition, Adélies are known to blast the call into the ears of their chick, an act that soon enables the young penguins to identify their parents. Objectives: Students observe and record the hatching success of their penguin colony. This may include number of penguin pairs that laid eggs and how many hatched throughout the colony. Students may also be able to observe the chicks egg tooth, a short, sharp point on the bill used to punch a hole through the shell during hatching. Beth E. Simmons besimmons@oceaningenuity.org 13 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

14 Beth E. Simmons FIFTH OBSERVATION: FEEDING Chicks plead for food by rapidly tapping the bill of their parents. This action triggers a parental response to regurgitate small amounts of food into the mouth of the chick; arching its head and neck toward the ground, the parent opens its mouth toward the head of the chick Feeding chases may be observed as young chicks run after their parents begging for food. Adults recognize their chicks by their individual voices. This is possible because penguins have two voice boxes, which produce unique amplitudes and frequencies that become their vocal signatures. Chicks can recognize their parents after only a few syllables. Having a unique voice is vital to all penguin species, including the Adélie penguin. When chicks are unguarded by parents, they will gather with other chicks in creches. Once the parents returning from a foraging expedition, they swing their head back and forth and issue a trumpeting call a form of the loud mutual display and wait for the response. If the chick answers the call with a recognizable voice, the adult will feed it. This stage lasts approximately thirty to thirty-five days and continues until penguins acquire adult plumage and head into the sea. If the parents are not successful in finding enough food for their offspring, they will perish. Objective: Students observe how parent and young interact during feeding, estimate body mass and the rapid growth during this time, recording the behaviors associated during feeding displays in and around the colony. besimmons@oceaningenuity.org 14 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach

15 Beth E. Simmons SIXTH OBSERVATION: FLEDGING At the start of the creche stage, chicks are fed with decreasing frequency. Adelies are migrants and need to be away from the nest for longer periods of time in order to find high densities of food to replenish their high energy needs. Penguins forage on schooling fish, krill (euphausiids) and to a lesser extent, squid. Krill (Euphausia superba) makes up % of the diet of the Adelie penguins by mass and are loaded with protein. After eggs are laid, the female will go offshore foraging, leaving the male to incubate the eggs. Offshore foragers feed at relatively far distances from their colony and have long fasts during incubation. The female is out actively foraging for days; when she returns the male heads out to feed offshore. The male will return in an average of days. Chicks fledge at approximately 46 - days of age (Fraser et al. 1997). Objective: Students observe the antics of the fledging, downy-gray chicks noting their growth, body changes, behaviors and interactions during fledging. besimmons@oceaningenuity.org 1 Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Program/ Education & Outreach