How penguins pick up their partners

Blackleaf

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Oct 9, 2004
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How penguins p-p-pick their p-p-partners

26th April 2007



Penguins seem almost human when picking their partners, the males compete but the female are in control





The penguins live on the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, parts of Britain



When it comes to choosing a mate, king penguins seem almost human. The males compete, but it's the female who's in control and picks her partner with care.


They stick together to raise a chick and share the parenting duties.

These magical new pictures from the southern ocean, where king penguins live on islands like the Falklands and South Georgia, show that, whatever the species, the mating game is the same the whole world over...

Two males pursue a female, but it's she who will eventually choose which one she'll mate with


Neck stretching is part of the courtship display with which males hope to attract a mate



This female (on the right) looks as though she may be interested


Pictures by Andy Rouse, from Penguin Life by Andy Rouse (David and Charles, £9.99). To order a copy at £7.99 inc p&p, call 0870 9908222 and quote W318


Now the sweet talk: A male (right) makes a trumpeting sound to impress the female


She's mine. A female gives her suitor a final check


Then agrees to pair with him, and waddling off, flipper to flipper into the sunset


Hands offf my bird: Males who've paired off can get aggressive when another male tries to move in


Expectant: The female lays just one egg, which both take turns to incubate between their feet


A happy event: The pair seem almost human in their affection



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