Chick Provisioning
Definition
Chick provisioning is the process by which adult penguins feed their offspring through regurgitation of partially digested fish, krill, or squid. Parents alternate foraging trips to sea with feeding duties at the nest or creche. The frequency and duration of foraging trips depend on prey availability and distance to feeding grounds. King penguin parents may fast for weeks between feeding trips during the chick's long growth period. Insufficient provisioning due to low prey availability is the leading cause of chick starvation and is directly linked to breeding failure in poor food years.
Related Terms
A creche is a group of penguin chicks that huddle together for warmth and protection while both parents are away foraging at sea.
Krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans (order Euphausiacea) that form the dietary backbone of many penguin species, particularly in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters.
A fledgling is a young penguin that has replaced its downy chick plumage with waterproof juvenile feathers and is ready to leave the colony for the sea.
Related Species
Species where chick provisioning is especially relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chick provisioning mean in penguin biology?
Chick provisioning is the process by which adult penguins feed their offspring through regurgitation of partially digested fish, krill, or squid. Parents alternate foraging trips to sea with feeding duties at the nest or creche. The frequency and duration of foraging trips depend on prey availability and distance to feeding grounds. King penguin parents may fast for weeks between feeding trips during the chick's long growth period. Insufficient provisioning due to low prey availability is the leading cause of chick starvation and is directly linked to breeding failure in poor food years.
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Glossary entries define the language. FAQ answers common questions; guides carry the longer Survival Lab arguments.
More in reproductionWhere this definition comes from
Reference bodies behind the reproduction terminology. Links last checked August 5, 2026.
- British Antarctic Survey - Antarctic penguin ecology, diving, and sea-ice context.
- Australian Antarctic Division - Antarctic species profiles, breeding, and environmental context.
- Smithsonian Ocean Portal - Penguin biology, anatomy, and breeding explainers.