A recent study reveals that artificial nests significantly enhance the breeding success of endangered African penguins, yet various designs work better for different colonies. This research was conducted by an international team from South Africa and the UK and is featured in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence by the British Ecological Society.
This investigation, led by Nelson Mandela University researchers, tracked African penguin breeding success over 12 years throughout South Africa. The study concluded that artificial nests exceeded the performance of natural nests, improving breeding rates by 16.5%.
Interestingly, the study found that no single style of artificial nest emerged as the best for all penguin colonies; each design had its advantages and disadvantages. Among the different options, the newly developed double-layered ceramic nests showed the most promise compared to older designs, although this was not true for all cases.
Professor Lorien Pichegru from the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research at Nelson Mandela University, who led the research, noted, “The effective designs of artificial nests were specific to each colony since they face varied threats. Penguins on land colonies like Boulders Beach are at risk from land mammals, while those on barren islands like Bird Island contend with sun exposure. Therefore, the optimal artificial nest designs must cater to these unique challenges.”
The results indicate that while artificial nests serve as a beneficial conservation tool for African penguins, a tailored approach for each colony is essential due to the lack of a universal design. As the population of African penguins continues to decline, further proactive measures are essential, particularly in enhancing food supply.
“The main factors contributing to the recent drop in African penguin populations are insufficient food resources, oil contamination, underwater noise pollution, and predation,” explained Professor Pichegru. “There is an urgent need for biologically significant fishing exclusion zones near their primary colonies.”
African penguins rank among the most endangered seabird species worldwide and face a substantial risk of extinction. Their numbers have plummeted by 90% over the last seven decades, with only about 8,500 breeding pairs remaining.
To address the shortage of nesting habitats for these burrowing birds—who are especially vulnerable to predators and harsh weather conditions—artificial nests have been utilized in various South African colonies for over three decades.
This study evaluated the breeding outcomes of African penguins over a 12-year period across the eight largest penguin colonies in South Africa. Researchers conducted weekly checks on both natural nests and four types of artificial nests from the laying of eggs until either the chicks fledged or the nests failed.
Among the artificial nests were the newly designed ceramic nests with slanted roofs and a 5cm air gap between layers, old A-framed pine plywood nests, cement structures made from a fibreglass-cement mix, and fibreglass burrows that replicate natural penguin burrow shapes.
The team cautioned that the breeding success in natural nests might have been slightly underestimated due to the challenges involved in monitoring them. Natural nests selected for success tracking are usually located in areas that are easier to access, which may expose them more to predators and weather.
“Furthermore, tracking individual birds or breeding pairs over multiple years was not always feasible in this study,” commented Dr. Richard Sherley, a co-author from the University of Exeter.
“This uncertainty means we can’t definitively determine how much of the observed benefit is due to the ‘best’ penguins actively opting for artificial nests. Understanding why certain nests appeal to penguins could also enhance conservation strategies!” he added.
Professor Pichegru concurred that further investigation could enhance the efficacy of artificial nest designs. “Gaining insight into how artificial nests elevate breeding success in different colonies could inform improvements for future designs. For instance, are nests more effective due to better protection from predators, reduced heat stress on eggs, or other factors?”
