Nest-site characteristics of a Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua colony at Cierva point, Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract

Nest-site selection of the Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua on the Antarctic Peninsula was analyzed for the 1992/93 breeding season. The importance of 11 habitat variables on nest-site selection was evaluated using stepwise discriminant analysis and comparing their values in both nest sites and random points. The differences observed show that Gentoo Penguins tended to nest on high flat terraces with a prevailing northerly aspect and featuring abundant small pebbles. The results show that availability of nest material and environmental conditions affect nest-site selection at the considered scale.