Surfin' Bird! Adélie Penguins 'Surf' On Sea Ice To Help Migration

Penguins ‘surf’ on sea ice to travel longer distances than they could by swimming, according to scientists. The newly published research by the non-profit Point Blue Conservation Science, shows how Adélie penguins within the Ross Sea, Antarctica use sea ice in their annual migrations. Adélie penguins, though flightless, can undertake extraordinary migrations travelling thousands of kilometers out to sea from their on-land breeding colonies in Antarctica. Other species are known to use wind or ocean currents to help them save energy as they travel but, until now but the new research indicates Adélies ‘surf’ and use the movement of sea ice to support their travels. Point Blue has studied Adélie penguins on Ross Island, Antarctica since 1996. Recent advances in the miniaturisation of electronic tags allowed researchers to track the winter movements of 87 individuals across 146 trips spanning 3 years. Point Blue found that Adélie penguins traveled greater distances when they received more support from the moving sea ice. As ice drift speeds increased, penguins were found further north. The movement of sea ice may serve as a mechanism impacting adult survival and reproductive success, helping drive population trajectories on Ross Island.