Snares Penguin - Eudyptes Robustus
Distinguishing features	Snares penguins have a broad crest extending from the beak to the back of the head. They are easily confused with Fiordland penguins but do not have the white markings on the cheek that are present in the Fiordland penguins.
Alternative names	"Snares-crested" or "Snares Island"
Height	Snares penguins are 50 to 60 cm tall
Weight	Snares penguins weigh 3 to 4 kg with the weight varying by up to 1 kg during the year.
Breeding locations	Snares penguins only breed on Snares Island to the south of New Zealand. Currently the breeding population is estimated at 23,350 pairs.
Nesting behaviour	Snares penguins make a shallow scrape lined with twigs and branches. Two eggs are laid but only one chick is usually raised. Incubation takes 31 to 37 days by both parents in several long shifts. The male broods and guards the chick for 3 weeks. Chicks then form small creches and are fed daily by both parents. Chicks moult and go to sea when about 75 days old.
Principal diet	The diet of Snares penguins is not well known. It is believed the diet consists of 63% krill, 19% squid and 18% fish.

Bibliography

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

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

 

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