Nests

The yellow-eyed penguin is the least social of all penguin species. They like seclusion.

Unlike many other penguins they do not form breeding colonies.  Instead they nest in loose colonies building individual nests backed up to a bank, tree or log in dense vegetation – out of sight of each other. These nests provide some protection from the elements – particularly the sun can be hundreds of metres apart. 

The penguins generally remain year round at their breeding sites and make their nests in September/October.