I’ve heard that there have been reports of female homosexuality observed among penguins. What, specifically, did these penguins do to each other that led researchers to believe that they were, in fact, engaging in lesbian relations?
Thanks.
More on the various zoos which have been having trouble with penguins here. I couldn’t find any photos or drawings of their homosexual activities, but I think it’s safe to say you can rule out fisting.
As far as I know, they copulate just as any other penguins do, including homosexual male pairs. Penguins, like most birds, do not have external sexual organs. In order to mate, they just press their cloacas together. So the mechanics are pretty much the same, whether you have a male and a female, two males, or two females.
To elaborate on penguin mating behavior a little more, in male-female pairs the female gets down on her belly on the ground, and the male climbs on her back. The female arches her tail up, and the male lowers his, until the cloacas “kiss.” The male then transfers his sperm.
Male and female penguins are virtually identical in appearance. In at least one male-male pair in a zoo, the keepers detected it because sometimes one individual was on top, and sometimes the other, unlike in male-female pairs, in which the female would always be on the bottom.
An alternative way to detect homosexual pairs in penguins is to play Judy Garland and kd lang tapes to them, and see which they respond to.
You’re right, they just “wing” it.
After watching March of the Penguins I think there’s a lot to be said for being a gay emperor penguin. No need to do that nasty death march/starvation/freezing your feathers off thing. Just stay in the sea and swim gaily.
About the cloaca thing…I’ve been a witness to many a duck rape and have noticed a very distinct male aparatus–a duck dong. I know they’re different animals, penguins and ducks, but do not male penguins also have some penis-like appendage? Granted, it’s all stored internally so a cursory glance won’t give any clues.
Just checking in to say that this OP is an excellent example of why I keep my membership. Only in the Straight Dope can I read about Jimmy Carter’s legacy and penguin lesbianism. 
Ducks, geese, and swans are among the few birds to be equipped with penes, probably as an adaptation to mating in water. Ostriches and their relatives (emus, cassowaries, etc.) are the other main group that has them. Penguins don’t. Oddly enough, although drakes have dicks, roosters do not have cocks.
Some ducks are frightingly well-equipped; see the article The 20-cm Spiny Penis of the Argentine Lake Duck for details. Warning: pdf. Also, since it has photographs of the apparatus, it may not be safe for work if you co-workers are poultry.
You must be refering to “chicken shit” supervisors.
Perhaps in a Lesbian Penguin Manifesto?
LOL
I’d say “band name,” but these days I think “Future ‘Hot Tag’ on Technorati” is more appropriate.
You mean the females don’t wear evening gowns?
They wear Birkenstocks to go with their wonderful tuxedoes. 