Post-moult dispersal of sympatrically breeding Humboldt and Magellanic penguins in south-central Chile

K PÜTZ; L HIRIART BERTRAND; A RAYA REY; A SIMEONE; R REYES ARRIAGADA; V RIQUELME; B LÜTHI

Boston USA

Conferencia; VII International Penguin Conference; 2010

Ten Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and eight Magellanic Penguins (S. magellanicus) were successfully equipped with satellite transmitters in March 2009 at Puñihuil Islets, Chile, to follow their post-moult dispersal. There were no significant differences in the migration patterns observed between species and sexes. Overall, the migration of Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins could be followed for a mean period of 49 ± 18 days (range: 25 – 93) and 57 ± 12 days (range 35 – 68), respectively. Maximum distance to the colony ranged between 6 and 1036 km in Humboldt and between 17 and 927 km in Magellanic Penguins. The total minimum distance covered (= sum of all distances between consecutive positions) was 8014 km in Humboldt and 9247 km in Magellanic Penguins, the mean daily distance covered was 21.9 ± 12 km (Maximum 106 km) and 22.0 ± 8 km (Maximum 115 km), respectively. Irrespective of species and sex, two different migration patterns were apparent. Birds either remained at the breeding site, presumably performing daily foraging trips, or migrated north. However, most of the latter turned south again during the course of their migration and, in some instances, returned to the breeding site. Overall, the post-moult dispersal was restricted to a coastal area stretching 1000 km from the breeding site at 42°S to about 33°S. The observed migratory patterns are discussed with respect oceanographic parameters and artisanal fishing activities.