|
|
|
Crested Penguins ( Eudyptes)
|
 |
 |
 |
They are the smallest of the Eudyptes penguins with an average length of 18 to 23 inches and a weight range of 5 to 10 pounds. They are the only species with a black occipital crest. They have a prominent yellow crest and red eyes. They hop over rocks and crevices on land, thus their name. They are loud, noisy, feisty birds quick to attack anything that bothers them. They are the most widespread of Eudyptes penguins breeding on the subantarctic and south temperate islands in the the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. Their diet consists mainly of krill and fish. There are an estimated 3.7 million pairs and the population at present is stable. E. c. chryrosocome breeds in the Falkland Islands and islands off Cape Horn. Similar to other crested penguins two eggs are laid; a smaller A egg with a mortality rate of 60% to 80% and the larger B egg with a 40% to 60% success rate. Rockhopper penguins can swim up to 5.1 miles per hour. Since now classified as a separate species all 3 Rockhopper species are now considered vulnerable.
 |
 |
 |
Click on thumbnails for larger image
Erect Crested Photo Gallery
One of the largest of the Eudyptes penguins with an averaging 27 inches in length and weighing from 7.9 to 15.4 pounds. The spiky, brush like feathers grow from the base of the bill to the top of the head giving them a distinct look. They can also raise and lower these feathers on the crest, which none of the other crested penguins can do. In contrast to the Rockhopper,they only breed mainly on two remote subantarctic islands of New Zealand, the Bounty and Antipodes Islands. There are small numbers on Campbell and Oakland Islands. They can be confused with the Snares and Fiordland crested penguins. They feed mainly on shrimp, krill, and squid. There are an estimated 115,000 pairs on Bounty Island and an estimated 110,000 on the Antipodes. The population is vulnerable even though there is very little exposure to humans. There are probably no more than 2 or 3 ship visits a year and there is little fishing around the islands as they are protected by the New Zealand Government. Two eggs are laid with a 98% mortality rate of the first and smaller A egg. The second or B egg can be 100% larger then the A egg and the only one to be seriously incubated. Little else is known about these penguins as they are so isolated and have not been studied or observed.