Measurements of bill length, body weight, analysis of stomach contents and count of bird movements to and from a colony at Cape Bird to examine feeding behaviour of Adelie penguins

Weights and bill measurements of 300 adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) leaving the colony and returning from fishing were taken (10 every 2 days) and stomach samples were collected from 17 birds to investigate feeding in adelie penguins. Hourly counts were made of birds leaving and returning to the rookery between 15 December to 5 January and 12 January to 14 January to determine if there is a diurnal rhythm. A distinct cycle was recorded with peaks of activity at 2:00 am. In addition, skeletons of dead birds were collected and cleaned: emperor penguins, adelie penguins, skua, snow and Antarctic petrels. Three tapes were made of penguin and skua calls.