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Emu Emu Society
Journal of BirdLife Australia
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Recognition and Parental Investment in Adélie Penguins

LS Davis and FT Mccaffrey

Emu 89(3) 155 - 158
Published: 1989

Abstract

Discrimination abilities of Adélie Penguins Pygoscelis adeliae were studied by cross-fostering eggs within two days of laying, chicks within five days of hatching, chicks 11-15 days of age and chicks 17-21 days of age. Our results show that Adélie Penguins have no innate mechanism for recognition of offspring. Discrimination by adults was apparent only after 17-21 days of post-hatching familiarity, which corresponded with the end of the guard stage. By contrast, chicks may have learnt to discriminate adults by 11-15 days of age. During the guard stage, within-brood food allocation by parents was determined by sibling competition.

https://doi.org/10.1071/MU9890155

© Royal Australian Ornithologists Union 1989

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