Changes in the Diet of Adelie Penguins Breeding in East-Antarctica

Abstract

The food of Adelie penguins was investigated at Davis, East Antarctica, using stomach flushing to sample stomach contents. Prior to Adelie chicks hatching the food consisted primarily of amphipods. Euphausiids predominated after hatching, with Euphausia superba occurring most commonly. Fish were present but contributed little by weight to the food. Results obtained after hatching in 1983-84 differed from those of 1982-83 in that E. superba outnumbered E. crystallorophias by two to one in samples, whereas in 1982-83 E. crystallorophias outnumbered E. superba by more than two to one. Fish were less important in 1983-84 than in 1982-83 and samples contained more pelagic and fewer benthic species than in 1982-83.