Hey readers! I know that reading too much about threats to an endangered species can sometimes make you feel helpless, so I thought I’d write a special lighthearted blog. Throwback Thursday goes back in time to examine ecological and behavioral research that remains relevant today.
In 1973 through 1976, researchers Eggleton and Siegfried traveled to islands off the South African coast to observe African penguins in their natural habitat. They composed an ethogram, or description of behaviors, for this species [1]. Their 1979 paper provided the foundation for other behavioral research on African penguins, including mine. Here’s a list of some of the more interesting behaviors the researchers described.
- Ecstatic
The ecstatic behavior earned African penguins another name – the Jackass penguin. In this display, the penguin raises its head toward the sky with its flippers extended horizontally at its sides and beak open [1]. Then, the penguin brays [1], exactly like the hee-hawing of a donkey. This behavior most commonly occurs in male penguins as an advertisement to females that they have a territory and are looking for a girlfriend [1].
2. Vibratory Head Shake (VHS)
In this behavior, a penguin rapidly swings its head from side to side, sometimes through a full 180 degrees, while sitting or crouching [1]. Bonded African penguins perform VHS on their nests, either as a greeting to their mate or to appease aggression so that two penguins can inhabit the same small space peacefully [1]. A lone penguin may occasionally perform this display on its nest, suggesting territoriality [1].
3. Allopreening
African penguins allopreen when one penguin straightens the feathers around another penguin’s head and neck by nibbling with its beak [1]. Sometimes, both penguins will allopreen one another simultaneously [1]. This behavior occurs commonly between bonded birds, as well as parents and chicks [1], and it’s criminally cute.
In addition to these weird and wonderful displays, African penguins have six different aggressive behaviors and too many comfort behaviors to list here. But it’s thanks to Eggleton and Siegfried that I know how to define, describe, and rationalize African penguin behaviors. It’s thanks to them that I can do my research without the extra headache of trying to figure out what the penguin is doing. And thanks to them, I appreciate the diversity that the African penguin brings to this world.
References:
- Eggleton P., and Siegfried W.R. 1979. Displays of the Jackass Penguin. Ostrich 50: 139-167.
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The Penguin Researcher 