Penguins (Spheniscidae) are a family of flightless seabirds, the only family in the squad pingvinoobraznyh.It has 18 species, all of them in its own beautiful and unusual.For example, crested penguin Antarctica truly is a miracle, created nature.After all, nature - the most talented sculptor and artist who breathes life into their creations!
Great Crested Penguin (Fudyptes sclateri) - a very interesting creature.The name "Penguin" came from the Welsh "pen", which means "head" and the word "Gwyn" in translation - "white".Adding these two words, we get the "Penguin" for milozvuchnosti letter "e" was changed to "and".Although there is another version of the origin of the name.Sailors called nevalyashek funny word «pinguis», translated from the Latin - "thick".This nickname is consistent with their constitution.
Crested Penguin: description
These clumsy creation of a relatively small size.The body length of a penguin on average 60-65 cm, the weight of the birds around 2.5-3.5 kg.But it should be noted that before molting tolstyachki gaining much more, is that up to 6.5-7 kg.Males can visually, even from a distance distinguish from females at a much larger size.
head, the upper part of the throat and cheeks black penguin.Two yellowish tuft of feathers, from the nostrils are drawn through the dark red eyes and pass along the crown back.Thanks tufted referred to as "crested penguins" from other types of these handsome differ ability to move their adornment of feathers.Upper body of black color, streaked with blue, bottom contrasting white.Wings-fins are bluish-black with a white border around the edges.The beak is thin and fairly long, brownish color, close to orange.
inhabited naturally large crested penguins?
Cute penguin with tufts are found naturally near New Zealand and Australia.To arrange their nests on the islands prefer Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell.During the winter months, they do not leave the cold Antarctic waters.They nest in large colonies with other species of crested penguins.The islands, which gave preference to land birds, rocky, the rocks are many caves that are suitable for the construction of nests for the penguins.It is in these caves future feathered parents carefully constructing a place for hatching offspring.
Reproduction
As already mentioned earlier, the crested penguins breed in large colonies.In the place where it is planned to organize the nesting (flat area of rocks does not exceed 65-70 m above sea level), the first to come to the males, two weeks later they are joined by the female.During the reunion begins fights between males, so it celebrated annually in the beginning of the kingdom of penguins mating season.
When passion poutihnut, couples begin to build a nest.First female, picking up a place, from his legs rake the garbage.Males are assigned "male" hard work, he brings a material consisting of stones, grass and dirt.All this puts the future father of the family nest.
In early October, begins laying eggs, which lasts 3-4 days.Mother penguin lays two eggs, one small and the other large.During the laying of the female does not eat.When the eggs are already in the nest, begins incubating for 35 days.The first egg in 98 percent of the time lost, and remains the second hatch.
After sitting on the eggs for 2-3 days, the expectant mother goes to look for food in the nest is a male on duty, the responsibility falls on him.Within 3-4 weeks caring father does not eat, he does not leave the nest can, otherwise the egg will freeze.That accounts for the poor fellow fast, awaiting the return of the females.During this time, great crested handsome losing weight, if the wife does not return in time, he may die of hunger.
After this period, if the campaign ends successfully female, she returns to her husband and hatchlings (very rarely two chicks).The male leaves his family and goes to look for food to gain the lost weight.Crested Penguin mother feeds the baby, belching food, warm them and cares about them.In February fledged grown kids leave the shelter, which came into being.
Molting
very interesting moment in the life of penguins is molting, the phenomenon is very prolonged, and are preparing for it as early as February.After the chicks out of the nest adult birds leave and go batten before molting into the sea for a month.After this period, the family once again come together, this leads to marriage games.At this time, it begins the real moulting, which lasts 28 days.This penguin "honeymoon period", during moulting, they are inseparable and spend all the time near the nest.In mid-April update feather ends and crested penguins again go to sea.
how to talk?
Penguins - birds, though land.Singing these tolstyachki can, especially during the courtship of the female, of course, if these marriage "serenade" can be called songs.Voice of penguin - rather, it is a cry.Their courtship accompanied by low sounds that are repeated at regular intervals."Sing" so black and white singers only during the day, at night they will never hear the screams.
How to fight?
Penguins males, as well as all representatives of the male love is sometimes put up a fight.Most often this occurs because of the females, or when necessary to protect the nest from intruders.Aggressive rivals pulled vertically the head with a raised tuft militant and rocking it from side to side.Before the battle, males begin to "blow", while bowing and twitching his shoulders.
During the fight Penguins grumbling tilted head, hit each other with their beaks and wings, fins.Sometimes bites apply even if the Fighting too addicted to the battle.
very beautiful bird - Crested Penguin, photos proof, because not all nature lovers can afford to see these creatures in their natural habitat.There is scientific evidence that over the last 45 years numbers have declined by almost half.This species is listed in the Red Book!
