Conservation of the mixed-­‐species colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins at Puñihuil islands, Southern Chile.

R. Reyes-Arriagada, Hiriart-Bertrand L. et al 2010. 7 International Penguin Conference (poster).

The relevance of mixed-species colonies of penguins is reconized on the basis of their potential for hybridization, resource partitioning, behavioral interactions and more recently as touristic attractions. The mixed-species colonie of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins at Puñihuil islets (42ºS), southern Chile, was assessed to compare their conservation status before and after their formal protection when declared natural reserve in 1999. We counted nests and breeding pairs in 1997, 2004 and 2008. In 1997, up to 28% of penguin burrows were collapsed due to tourist and goat trampling; after tourist ban and goat removal, collapsed burrows dropped to 3-4%. In 2004, 1207 breeding pairs were counted; in 2008 these figures increased to 1327 nests. We attribute these changes to habitat improvement and conservation due to tourist exclusion of goal removal.

Foraging behaviour during chick rearing of sympatrically breeding Humboldt and Magellanic penguins in southern Chile


A. Raya Rey, Puetz K., Hiriart-Bertrand L. et al 2010. 7 International Penguin Conference (Oral).

Humboldt and Magellanic penguins breed sympatrically at Puñihuil Islets in Chile. As these are two closely related species with comparable food requirements, we studied the degree of resource partitioning. Sex- and species-specific foraging areas and diving behaviour were investigated during the chick-rearing period using GPS-TDlog and TDRs. Penguins performed mainly daily foraging trips close to the colony. Maximum distance to the colony did not significantly differ between species and sexes (average 8.8 ± 3.2 km). Foraging trip and diving characteristics also revealed no significant interspecific differences. The major differences observed were sex-specific, independently of species. Trip duration (range: 2.3 to 26 hs) was shorter in females while the diving rate (range: 13 to 48 dives per hour) was higher than in males. Mean dive duration (range: 45 to 91sec) was higher in males than in females which is in accordance with the slight sexual dimorphism found in these species. Mean dive depth ranged from 9 to 37 m, maximum depth attained was 70 meters and maximum dive duration recorded was 270 s. Interestingly, all birds showed a high value of intra depth zone dives (more than 70%), indicative of benthic feeding. In contrast to these findings, previous studies indicated a high amount of pelagic fish in their diet. Magellanic penguin’s males performed less intra depth zone dives, this being the only sex-species difference. In conclusion, in areas where food is not limited, variations in the diving behaviour are likely to be more sex-specific rather than interspecific.

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

K.Puetz, Hiriart-Bertrand L., et al 2010. 7 International Penguin Conference (Oral)

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.

Sympatric distribution of Magellanic and Humboldt Penguins in southern Chile: ecological implications of coexistence and hybridization

Hiriart-Bertrand L. & A. Simeone 2010. 7 International Penguin Conference (Oral).

The importance of mixed colonies of Spheniscus penguins in southern Chile has received little attention although first mixed colonies were reported in the mid 80s. The sympatric distribution of Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and Magellanic penguins (S. magellanicus) along the Chilean coast its still confuse and only few colonies containing both species have been reported in the last years. Information about these colonies is mostly restricted to population numbers and threats. During fieldwork at Puñihuil (42ºS) in the 2008-2009 breeding season we reported for the first time the occurrence of mixed (i.e. Humboldt-Magellanic) breeding pairs and phenotypic hybrids showing intermediate characters of both nominate species. These records show an important breeding interaction between both species, but we still ignore the proportion of hybrids and heterospecific pairs among the population in the region. We discuss the relevance of hybridization and coexistence and their potential consequences in speciation and possible mechanisms of adaptation both at land (breeding sites) and at sea (feeding areas).

Mortality of Magellanic penguins at Queule, Araucania region, Chile

R. Schlatter et al 2009. Boletín Chileno de Ornitología 15(2): 78-86

In late March 2009 a massive mortality of at least 1,380 Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus, Forster 1781) was recorded at Queule Beach, southern Chile. About 48% of the animals were adults and 52% were juveniles. We collected a sample of 16 individuals (7 adults and 9 juveniles) for bacteriological, virological and histhopathological analysis. Most of the birds were in visible good body condition and had food in their stomachs (Araucarian Herring, Strangomera bentincki) which excludes food shortage as cause of death. We detected several hepatic injuries compatible with avian cholera, but PCR analysis discarded this possibility. At least 7 birds presented abrasions and injuries in their feet most likely derived from entanglement. Through interviews with officers at governmental agencies, researchers and local fishermen, we established that an unusually large fishing effort (using fishing nets) occurred in the offshore area during the time the massive mortalities were recorded. All these aspects allow us to propose that the most probable cause of death for the Magellanic penguin was entanglement in fishing nets and subsequent drowning. This occurred when penguins were migrating northwards, a typical behavior of the species during this time of the year (austral autumn). We propose the establishment of regional groups of specialists to provide a quick response to such mortality events in order to take fresh samples and allow a proper assessment and quantification of the dead animals.

Entanglement and Drowning of a Magellanic Penguin in a Gill Net recorded by a Time-depth recorder in south-central Chile

Puetz K., L. Hiriart-Bertrand et al 2010 Waterbirds. Accepted

           Incidental mortality in fishing gear has resulted in the decline of many seabird species. While great efforts have been made to implement mitigation measures in longlining and, more recently, trawling, comparatively little attention has so far been given to artisanal fishing. In the 2008/09 breeding season, the foraging behaviour of Humboldt Spheniscus humboldti and Magellanic Penguins S. magellanicus breeding sympatrically on Puñihuil islets in southern Chile was studied. During the course of this study, one Magellanic Penguin equipped with a time-depth recorder became entangled and subsequently drowned in a gill net set for Corvina Drum (Cilus gilberti). The device was returned by fishermen and the data recorded are, to our knowledge, the first documented case of such a drowning in marine, air-breathing vertebrates. According to the data retrieved, while diving to a depth of more than 50 m, the bird became entangled and remained below 60 m for nearly 21 hours until the net was hauled. These findings are discussed in relation to local and regional fishing operations and potential mitigation measures to reduce bycatch of penguins, other seabirds and marine mammals in artisanal fishing.

Description of a mixed-species colony of Humboldt and Magellanic Penguin at Metalqui Island, Chiloe, southern Chile

L. Hiriart-Bertrand et al. 2010 Boletín Chileno de Ornitología 16(1): 42-47

        We describe the mixed-species colony of Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and Magellanic (S. magellanicus) penguins at Metalqui Island in Chiloe, southern Chile. The colony was visited on 8 December 2008 and nests (mostly dirt burrows) were individually checked for contents. Our survey included nearly 24% of the island’s suitable nesting habitat for penguins and indicated a breeding population of 28 and 203 Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins pairs, respectively. Nests contained either adults alone or adults attending chicks (no nests with eggs were observed) suggesting that breeding season was advanced at that time. This represents a species ratio of 1:7, similar to what has been reported for the mixed colony at Puñihuil Islands, 35 km to the north of Metalqui. The present data extends the breeding range of the Humboldt penguin to the south and adds a third mixed-species colony of both penguin species along its overlapping range.

First report of the prescence of mixed Spheniscus penguins in southern Chile

 Simeone A., L. Hiriart-Bertrand et al 2009. The Condor 111(3):544–550

    The Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) and Magellanic (S. magellanicus) Penguins overlap over 1100 km along the coast of the southeastern Pacific Ocean, and much has been hypothesized about hybridization between them. We visited Puñihuil and Metalqui islands, southern Chile (41–42´ S), where both species form mixed colonies; these are also the Humboldt Penguin’s southernmost colonies. We observed one mixed pair attending chicks and two adults of intermediate color pattern, one of which tended a chick at a nest. Additionally, on the basis of analysis of 30 blood samples of Humboldt Penguins from the Puñihuil colony, we report the first documented Humboldt x Magellanic Penguin hybrid. Judged from the pattern of restriction fragments, this bird had a Magellanic dam and a Humboldt sire. We sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear copies independently to confirm these results. We suggest that hybridization at Metalqui and Puñihuil is encouraged by the low abundance of the Humboldt Penguin rather than by failed mate recognition.