Baby Birds

[Written by Elizabeth Leonardis for our old blog, So Civilized]

South Polar Skua chick held by me

South Polar Skuas breed on many of the islands around Palmer Station. They are the birds that prey on the penguin chicks and the ones that dive bomb us when we walk too close to their nests. They are not always the friendliest birds, but they sure do have cute babies. The birders have been monitoring some of the local Skua nests on Shortcut Island for many years and we were forutnate enough to accompany Jen and Kirstie while they did their nest checks yesterday.

Skua egg in the process of hatching

Jen and I came across this Skua chick that was pipping (breaking through the shell). Jen told me that it should be out of the shell by the following day. If you look closely you can see the little beak sticking out of the egg shell.

Skua chick siblings

Only a few days after Skua chicks hatch they are mobile and running around on their unusually long legs. Unlike the well behaved Giant Petrel chicks that are always patiently sitting on their nest waiting for mom and dad, you have to hunt around the nest sites for the little brown puff ball Skua chicks that are well camoflauged in their surroundings. The chicks in these photos are all 5-10 days old. However, we did see a few chicks that were already about a month old. They only get harder to catch as they get older and faster.

Giant Petrel chick sitting obediently on the nest

Can you spot the Skua chicks?

Earlier in the day we also did some work with the peguin chicks. Alex finally had a chance to hold a penguin and I had my second opportunity. The penguin colonies are emptying out and many of the adults have already left. There are small groups of penguin teenagers hanging out everywhere with their wild hairdos. As the penguin chicks lose their down they are often left with small silly patches of brown puff. Its rather amusing as the last down to go is often a little patch on their head.

The beach at Humble Island where the fledglings take their first swim

Alex and his first penguin, complete with goofy hairdo

Thrilled to be holding a penguin again