Rockhopper Penguin - Eudyptes Chrysocome
Distinguishing features	Rockhoppers are the smallest of the crested penguins. They can be distinguished by the shape of their crests; they have a thin yellow stripe that starts just behind the beak and runs toward the back of the head for a few cm. before developing into a large drooping crest. Chicks have grey black backs and white fronts.
Sub-species	Three sub-species are recognised with the adults differing in size and in the appearance of the crests. Eudyptes chrysocome filholi are slightly larger and have a very thin stripe on the head. Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome are the most numerous and smallest and have a broader stripe with longer and more drooping crests. Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi have the longest plumes which can extend well below the demarcation between the black and white on the throat.
Height	Adult rockhoppers vary in height from 45 to 55cm.
Weight	Rockhoppers weights vary considerably between individuals with larger birds weighing up to 5 kg. Typical weights are around 2.7 kg.
Breeding locations	Rockhoppers breed on more or less every sub-Antarctic Island. There are major colonies on the Falkland Islands (E. c. chrysocome - dark blue dots on the map), Macquarie Island (E. c. filholi red dots on the map), Marion and Prince Edward Islands and Kerguelen Island. E. c. moseleyi (pink dots on the map) breed in smaller colonies on Tristan da Cunha, Gough and Amsterdam Islands. The total breeding population is estimated to be 3,700,000 pairs (of which 2,500,000 are E. c. chrysocome).
Nesting behaviour	Nests are usually small scrapes lined with vegetation. Two eggs are usually laid but normally only one chick is reared (from the second egg). Adults share duties during the 32 to 34 day incubation period in long shifts of typically 10 days. The male broods and guards the chicks for 24 to 26 days after hatching with the female bringing home the food for the chick. Chicks then form into creches with both parents bringing food. The chicks moult and leave for the sea at the age of 65 to 75 days.
Principal diet	Rockhoppers take a mixed diet based mainly (60 to 70%) on krill with various fish and squid making up the remainder.

Bibliography

Penguins of the World Pauline Reilly, OUP, Oxford, 1994.

The Penguins Tony D Williams, OUP, Oxford, 1995.

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