New life among icebergs: the first penguin egg appeared at the Antarctic station

Penguin egg/National Antarctic Science Center

Penguins near the Antarctic Research Station “Akademik Vernadskyi” have their first egg this year.

A “gift” from birds found biologist of the 29th expedition, Svitozhar Davydenko, who monitors the success of penguin reproduction. This is reported by the National Antarctic Science Center.

Svetozar Davydenko monitors the nesting of penguins every day to track how their breeding cycle changes. He purposefully checked the nests to fix the exact date. Accuracy helps track whether there are any changes over the years and how it depends on external conditions, including climate change.

Arcticians expect the chicks to emerge in a little more than a month. In the meantime, they share a life hack on how to quickly find a nest with a penguin egg.

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During the nesting period, when biologists make a detour and approach the nests, the penguins usually leave. If the penguin behaves in the opposite way – when the scientist approaches, it stays on the nest and clings tightly to it, then there is definitely an egg there, – explained Svitozar Davydenko.

On Galindez Island, where the Ukrainian station is located, mainly subantarctic penguins nest. They lay an average of two eggs, sometimes three. Males and females incubate them in turn.

Subantarctic penguins are the largest and brightest among those that nest on Halindez. They have a height of up to 81 cm, a red beak, white spots above the eyes, and also – as if wearing a tailcoat. In addition, these birds are heat-loving, unlike other species that prefer the cold.