Foraging ecology

Foraging ecology

Foraging ecology is investigated in reproductively mature Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) at the Punta San Juan reserve.

Understanding the foraging ecology of top predators, such as the Humboldt penguin, allows us to understand how these species adapt to environmental variability on a seasonal and long-term basis.

This is achieved by stable isotope studies, direct observations, and spatial analysis of marine habitat use through the coupling of specialized devices such as VHF, GPS and TDRs.

These studies have been conducted in the 1990s and recently, from 2007-2011, and are being conducted using feathers samples for stable isotope analysis. GPS were deployed in 2011 and 2013, to analyze the use of marine habitat for foraging during the breeding season.

This information allows us to understand the dietary and marine habitat use of reproductive adult Humboldt Penguin residing in the Punta San Juan reserve.