Moulting | Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust

Moulting

Yellow-eyed penguins moult every year.

It takes place in February and March, and lasts 3-4 weeks.

Unlike other seabirds, penguins moult their feathers all at once. Sometimes they look sick, but are just moulting.

During the moult, plumage is not waterproof and the body is not well insulated.

The penguins are unable to go to sea to feed and during this time, can loose up to 3 – 4 kg in body weight.

They are very vulnerable to predation – disturbances by dogs or people can be fatal.

It is a time of year of great stress to the penguins, and a search of breeding areas in March and April after the moult can sometimes reveal many dead birds.

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