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Wing band placement on a penguin.

Wing band placement on a penguin.
Wing band placement on a penguin.
Wing band placement on a penguin.
Wing band placement on a penguin.
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131643
Linder, Christopher L.
Wing band placement on a penguin.
Still Image
12/03/2007
graphics/pd3-1/cl_20071203_antarctica_adeliepenguins_221.jpg
The band just above this penguin's elbow reads PA02235. The band doesn't hurt the penguin, studies show. Over the past 12 years, the bands revealed that 80 percent of chicks never survive their first year at sea. Ainley has also discovered that some adults-he calls them "superbreeders" -are incredibly good at raising chicks. They avoid skuas better than other penguins and gather food more effectively. About three of every 10 penguins in a colony rank as superbreeders, Ainley said, but they account for nearly all of the chicks produced. They nearly always manage to produce one chick per year, and sometimes can raise two in the same year. Ainley's future research hopes to determine exactly what makes these birds so successful.
Image of The Day caption:
During a 2007 expedition to Antarctica, scientists travelled to Ross Island to study the biology of the frigid, bountiful Ross Sea through the eyes of Adelie penguins. Small aluminum identification bands, which do not cause the penguins any pain, help scientists learn more about them. Over the past 12 years, the bands revealed that 80 percent of penguin chicks never survive their first year at sea. But the bands also revelealed that some adults are ?superbreeders? ? incredibly good at raising chicks. They nearly always manage to produce one chick per year, and sometimes can raise two in the same year. Learn more on the Polar Discovery website.
Photo by Chris Linder
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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