Comments on: Penguin Team Member: Do Penguins have a Memory?

By: Jocelyn

Jocelyn — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:39:38 +0000

So penguins are EXTREMELY SMART!

By: Claudia Dominguez

Claudia Dominguez — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:48:49 +0000

Hi my name is Claudia Dominguez and i’m obsessed with penguins! I plan on going to San Fran to go visit Cali. Academy of Sciences and hopefully see the little guys! I think what you guys do id great! Hope to be in your footsteps soon!

By: pschaller

pschaller — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:47:28 +0000

These behaviors are called display behaviors, also sometimes considered submissive displays. “Head Bow” is identified by the penguin bending its neck and lowering its chin to its body. “Head Shake” includes a bowing of the neck and soemtimes the entire body with a vibratory shaking of the head. These behaviors are observed when a penguin is in close proximity to their mate or their chick. The behaviors are often performed within their terrirtory or nest. They are only displayed when a penguin recognizes another penguin as non-threatening. In the case of the displays being performed towards a human, this could be interpreted that the penguin recognizes the human and considers them non-threatening. Generally, new humans upon introduction to the exhibit are considered threatening and more aggressive penguin postures and displays are observed. -Pamela

By: Joyce S.

Joyce S. — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:41:29 +0000

Hi Pamela,

What are the penguins expressing when they bow their heads and shake their heads?

Thanks for your reply, and it was a treat seeing the penguin feeding on our vacation,

Joyce