| Case Summary for:
Submission No 372: Emperor Penguin Pygoscelis antarctica;
Sandy Bay Isthmus, Macquarie Island, TAS. 21 February 1997. Submitted
by: Rohan Clarke. Verdict: Accepted This submission revolves around a photograph taken by Trevor Norris of a bird observed during a visit by the tourist vessel 'Kapitan Khlebnikov'. With additional information provided by Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers John Lynn (Ranger in charge 2002/03) and Sue Robinson of a Juvenile Emperor Penguin present on the Sandy Bay isthmus, Macquarie Island on the 21st February 1997. The content then compiled by Rohan Clarke. Verification of the details comes from an entry in the 'MI Biology Logbook' dated 21st February 1997, which simply states 'Emperor Penguin chick observed at Sandy Bay isthmus'. As the bird is clearly a juvenile it is assumed the author of the logbook entry was using the term 'chick' in the broader sense. Additionally, a check of the 'Station Log' confirms that the Kapitan Khlebnikov visited Macquarie Island on the 20th and 21st of February 1997. The photograph has been used on the front cover of the 1997 Macquarie Island Report produced by the Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service. Despite the lack of a description committee members had no difficultly accepting this record, doing so unanimously. The photograph clearly depicts a juvenile Emperor Penguin. A species that could only be confused with the closely related King Penguin A. patagonicus which differs in size, bill shape, lack of dark chin and the shape & colour of the auricular patch. Emperor Penguin is a species rarely reported outside the pack ice of
Antarctic. To date the only other record from an Australian Territory
is from Heard Island (Downes et al. 1959).
· Downes, M. C., Ealey, E. H. M., Gwynne, A. M., and Young, P.
S., 1959. The birds of Heard Island. Australian National Antarctic
Research Expedition Reports (Series B). Tony Palliser
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