Watch: Penguins are Going to War, But for Love

Anything for love?

Penguins playing a special game of one-upmanship.

(Photo: AP / Caters TV)

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam

These male penguins of Falkland Islands are unleashing their wrath upon each other to win over the females of their group. Penguins demonstrate this competitive streak by repeated slapping and poking with their beaks.

Derek Pettersson, 56, photographed the battling birds at Volunteer Point in the Falklands Islands, earlier this month. Derek runs a lodge at the tourist hotspot says that it happens when males are looking for a partner. Several males join and show this courtship behaviour to try and get the interested partner.

“I was just happy to get a few photos. Most people are a little surprised by the pictures at first until I explain why it is happening. The best time to see this is from late November until late February.”

Derek Pettersson to AP

This video were taken at Volunteer Point, in the north east of the archipelago, where there are believed to be over 1,500 breeding adult king penguins and up to 700 chicks raised each year.

“They have no natural predators on land in this area. Visitors are asked to stay well back but if they sit down the chicks come right up to investigate. As long as the wildlife is respected Volunteer Point is one of the best and easiest accessible places to photograph king penguins.”  

Derek Pettersson to AP