A juvenile Magellanic penguin was observed swimming circles around beachgoers at Praia do Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro. Conservation biologist P. Dee Boersma noted that this bird likely ventured north while foraging for food during winter. Penguins typically migrate up to 4,000 miles to find fish. The penguin’s coloration provides camouflage from predators, enabling survival. Instances of solitary penguins away from their habitat are not uncommon, as illustrated by a past penguin found in New Zealand.
"Penguins are curious. When there are people, they're going to look," said P. Dee Boersma, a conservation biologist and professor at the University of Washington.
The Rio beach penguin appeared to be a juvenile. This flightless seabird was probably born around November, which is breeding season.
They're following the fish. Wouldn't you?" said Boersma. "It's a long way for them ... but they're trying to eat in the winter.
The birds have black bodies and white bellies to help them survive: Seen by predators above, a penguin's dark back blends with the dark ocean.
Collection
[
|
...
]