2000 Miles from Anywhere...: Rock-a-Bye Baby

Gough’s Rockhoppers have been busy incubating for the last month or so, and now their eggs are beginning to hatch. A few days ago we discovered our first chicks and now the beaches are a’rocking with the cheeps of many little penguins!

Welcome to Gough Little Rockhopper! (David Kinchin-Smith)

So before some more very photogenic Rockhoppers (especially for my Mum), here’s a bit of penguin science for you......

The Tristan Group holds more than 90% of the global population of Northern Rockhoppers, with Gough being home to between 30,000-80,000 pairs. In 1984 the island boasted a population of 144,000 pairs, and it is quite concerning that the reason for this decline is largely unknown. As such the species is listed as Vulnerable. Adults are instantly recognisable by their lavish golden plumes, which protrude rather comically from above their eyes; these are longer than those on the closely related Southern Rockhopper. But what the chicks lack in eyebrow they certainly make up for in cute-factor. Adults stand just tall enough to be able to peck you above your wellington boot, so from the picture you can get an idea of just how very small our chicks are!

Truly magnificent eyebrows! (David Kinchin-Smith)

Rockhoppers return to Gough each year towards the end of the winter (late July/August time). As is quite often the case in seabirds, these penguins generally retain the same mate from year to year. The nest is a relatively simple, shallow scrape created by the female, which she then decorates with small sticks and stones brought by the male. She lays two eggs, and perhaps rather unusually, the first egg is often smaller than the second. It is incredibly rare for Rockhoppers to raise two chicks; the larger b-egg hatches first, giving this chick an advantage over the other in obtaining most of the food. The chick from the a-egg simply cannot compete with its larger sibling. We discovered our first eggs in early October and now chicks are appearing everywhere!

Incubating and inquisitive (David Kinchin-Smith)

Incubation is shared between adults, with each taking it in turns to head out to sea and feed. Small chicks are then brooded solely by the male, with the female returning with feeds for the little hungry mouths. However, the poor male remains unfed for his three to four week careful guard and is very ready for the female to take over after this stint. He then heads out to sea to feed up whilst the larger chicks form crèches and are fed by the females for a further week. Our chicks will be fledging towards the end of December and into January so we will update you on their progress nearer that time.

David

Reference.

Ryan, P. et al. (2007) Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island