Penguin moult weights - when to intervene?

[Dave H]

I drafted this table a while ago to assist DOC staff in Otago in determining what to do with a moulting penguin on a beach - move it to a safe place or take it into care.  My "danger" weight is one at which a which an early moult penguin is unlikely to survive the process.  I'd be grateful if those of you who have dealt with moulting penguins could correct my guesses at max and danger weights (particularly for the crested species).  Sights like the penguin below are the sort of thing I'd prefer not to see.

	Normal weight	Max (pre moult)	Danger
Blue	0.8-1.4kg	2.2kg	1kg
Yellow-eyed	5-6kg	9kg	6kg
Fiordland	3.4-3.7kg	4.9kg	4.5kg
Snares	2.8-3.4kg	4.9kg	4.5kg
Erect	4-5kg	6kg	5kg
Rockhopper	2.8-3.4kg	4kg	3.5kg
Royal	4-6kg	7kg	5kg

                       
      

[Libby Hall]

We receive moulting Little penguins and the average weight is 1.3 kg although we do receive them at 1 kg or less.  We advise people who find these birds in the Sydney area to bring them to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital because, if they have found them, probably someone's dog will also find them.  They are ususally hiding in vulnerable positions behind popular beaches and are brought into care for protection and feeding (due to poor weight). 

We feed moulting penguins 2 fish each day with their medication (sporonox and sea tabs) unless they are very thin.  On arrival if dehydrated we tube feed fluids ("Spark") and "AD Diet" (for debilitated cats).  Release weight is approx 1.1 kg.   We have 3 moulting penguins in rehab at the moment and expecting more as March progresses.

Libby Hall

[Katiki]

This is valuable information, thanks Dave.
I deaL with many moulting penguins, yellow eyeds in particular and there are two major indicators of concern. One is weight and the other is sequence of feather loss. If the flippers are moulting first and the bird is in a safe place, I would not even weigh it. If, however it is in an unsafe place, I would weigh it as part of the shifting process. I would bring any bird under 6Kg into care if it had not yet reached feather fall.
Cresteds, on average, have a high parasite load and should be brought into care, even if it is only a dose of Ivomec.

[Dave H]

That's a good point Rosalie.  Although it's a bit hard to see, the flippers of the penguin in the picture above show no signs of moulting - a clear sign that this guy is in deep trouble!

[PELICAN MAN]

I have not been viewing for a while but would be interested to learn more about assessing the condition of premoulting and moulting Little Penguins