photo of yellow-eyed penguins

Yellow-eyed Penguin - Megadyptes Antipodes 

Distinguishing features

 Yellow-eyed penguins are thought to be closest to the original penguins in appearance. They have a broad yellow band running around the eyes and extending like a bonnet over the top of the head. 

Chicks have a uniform grey brown plumage.
Alternative name The Maori name for the Yellow-eyed penguin is "Hoiho".

Height 

 Yellow-eyed penguins are around 70 cm tall.

Weight

 Weights vary through the year being greatest (7 to 8 kg) just before moulting and least (5 to 6 kg) after moulting.

Breeding locations
map of breeding locations Yellow-eyed penguins breed on the East coast of New Zealand's South Island and on sub-Antarctic Islands to the south of New Zealand, notably Enderby Island in the Auckland Islands. The total breeding population is estimated to be 1,500 pairs
 
Nesting behaviour Nests are made in dense undergrowth. Two eggs are laid and often both chicks are reared. Incubation takes 39 to 51 days with both parents sharing duties in shifts of 1 to 2 days. Chicks are guarded by a parent while the other is at sea collecting food for 40 days. Creches are rarely formed and chicks stay close to the nest when both parents are away. Chicks moult and go to sea when 106 days old.
Principal diet Yellow-eyed penguins take mainly (85%) fish supplemented with some squid.
 

Bibliography

Penguins John Sparks and Tony Soper, Facts on File Publications, Oxford, 1987.

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

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

Guide to Pete & Barb's Penguin Pages
Front Page and Introduction · Descriptions of the Penguins · Detailed Species Notes · Breeding Behaviour · Common questions · Penguin Goodies · Penguin Bibliography · Good Penguin Guide · Photo Index · Links to other penguin sites · 'Penguin-balls' · Endangered Penguins ·
Return to the top of this page