Behavioural and corticosterone responses of incubating and confined Adelie penguins to model Weddell seal, model leopard seals and a seal bag, Cape Bird, Ross Island 2003-2004

Behavioural and corticosterone responses of incubating Adelie penguins to a model Weddell seal, a model Leopard seal and a seal bag were measured by measuring behaviour and collecting blood samples from birds after 5 minutes of different levels of exposure. The effects on corticosterone of confinement for different periods were also studied, together with behavioural and corticosterone responses of confined penguins to the predator models. Blood samples were analysed for corticosterone concentrations. 130 birds were sampled.