Rare Penguin Spotted at Bowen Island

A rare piebald chick was recently spotted at the penguin breeding colony on Bowne Island, at Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast.

It was during a field research at the little penguin breeding colony that researchers from UNSW and Parks Autrslia spotted this rare chick. It had normal eyes and pigmented feathers on the lower back, and spots of blue feathers on its upper back. It was found sitting on the path that leads from the beach.

"Little penguin chicks leave the safety of their burrows at night to explore their surroundings. We observed this chick, which still had some down feathers remaining around its neck, retreat to its burrow, where we could also spot it during the day. The following night, we encountered the same penguin again in nearly the same spot," says UNSW PhD student Sandra Vogel in a press statement. He is part of a team studying the survival strengths and weaknesses of nine colonies along the NSW coast.

According to the researchers, the young penguins leave the island and are out in the open sea.  After two or three years, they will return as adults to start breeding. But this rare bird was left out.

Based on the appearance of the chick, it is reported that it suffers from the genetic defect known as piebald leucism, which has given it a unique look. The chick's blood samples will reveal more about its condition.

"It is very likely that the unusual pigmentation will reduce the chances for survival of this penguin," says Sandra. "With its camouflage being compromised, the piebald penguin will have a hard time surviving."

The field survey was done to analyze the ability of the little penguin colonies to survive intense events like fire or disease outbreak. The survey included collecting information on population size, their survival rate, and genetic data on the links between populations and migration patterns. For genetic analysis, certain birds are being micro-chipped and their blood samples are being collected.