Change in moult behaviour of African penguins Spheniscus demersus on Robben Island

African penguins on Robben Island have shifted their moulting behavior from coastal areas to inland sites near nests, a change observed between 1998 and 2020. This shift challenges traditional population estimates that rely solely on counting coastal moulters, potentially underestimating the total population. The study, conducted by Mdluli and Barham (2022), tracked moulting behavior over two decades using field observations. By comparing data from 1998 to 2004 with later years, researchers documented a near-complete transition to inland moulting, highlighting the need for revised population assessment methods.

Mdluli, A., & Barham, P. J. (2022). Change in moult behaviour of African penguins Spheniscus demersus on Robben Island. Biodiversity Observations, 12. https://doi.org/10.15641/bo.1199