| Fiordland Penguin | |
| |
| Species | |
| Scientific Name: | Eudyptes pachyrhynchus |
| World Conservation Union | |
| Status: | Vulnerable |
| Size | |
| Height: | 24 in (60 cm) |
| Weight: | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) |
| Habitat | |
| Location: | Stewart Island/Rakiura |
| Coloring | |
| Feathers: | Black and white with yellow streaks near the top of their eyes |
| Beak: | orange |
The Fiordland Crested Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) is a penguin from New Zealand. It breeds along the Fiordland coast and its outlying islands as well as on Stewart Island/Rakiura.
Taxonomy[]
Also known as the Fiordland Crested Penguin, the Fiordland Penguin was described in 1845 by English zoologist George Robert Gray, its specific epithet derived from the Ancient Greek pachy-/παχυ- 'thick' and rhynchos/ρυνχος 'beak'.[1] It is one of six species in the genus Eudyptes, the generic name derived from the Ancient Greek eu/ευ 'good' and dyptes/δυπτης 'diver'.[1]
Description[]
They are medium-sized, yellow-crested, black-and-white penguins, growing to approximately 60 cm (24 in) long and weighing about 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs). It has dark, bluish-grey upperparts with a darker head, and white underparts. It has a broad, yellow eyebrow-stripe which extends over the eye and drops down the neck. Most birds have 3-6 whitish stripes on the face.
Distribution and habitat[]
This penguin nests in colonies in dense temperate forest. It breeds along the Fiordland coast and its outlying islands as well as on Stewart Island/Rakiura.
Diet[]
It feeds on krill, fish, octopus and squid.
Conservation[]
The current status of this penguin is vulnerable due to its small population. Current population estimates range between 2,500-3,000 pairs and is thought to have declined since the late 1980s by around 33%. It is under threat from introduced predators including dogs, cats, stoats and rats. The endemic Weka (Gallirallus australis) has been introduced to several islands where it preys on eggs and chicks.