Orientation of Adélie Penguins on Their Territories

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Abstract
Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) nest in dense colonies on the shores of the Antarctic continent and off-lying islands. Nests are situated in small nesting territories within the colonies. The position of established territories often influences the positioning of new territories, especially on uniform flat terrain; behavioral interactions between penguins influence the arrangement of territories in a colony. Behavioral interactions between penguins also affect the orientation of penguins on their territories. In the crowded conditions of an Adelie penguin breeding colony, a certain amount of interaction between penguins provides social stimulation that is probably necessary for successful breeding. Too much stimulation may produce stress that could adversely affect reproductive performance. One way penguins overcome this is by avoiding visual contact with another penguin''s head, thus reducing the probability of interaction and increasing the probability of resting. By facing into inter-nest spaces, rather than directly towards another nest, a penguin probably increases its apparent individual area, and so reduces the impression of crowding. This avoidance orientation of Adelie penguins probably enables them to nest at high densities without undue stress. Familiarity with neighbors would probably also reduce aggression, but Adelie penguins reacted very readily to disturbances in neighboring territories. This further emphasizes the value of avoidance orientation.

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