Penguins
About the yellow-eyed penguin
The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is a long established non-governmental organisation with a specific focus on the conservation of hoiho across its range.
We ensure the survival of hoiho by managing birds and their habitat, and addressing impacts in the marine and terrestrial environments.
The yellow-eyed penguin / hoiho Megadyptes antipodes
Status: nationally endangered (NZ classification 2021)
Our friends over at Little Yellow Bird have designed a beautiful tee shirt that you can buy to support the endangered hoiho. Funds raised from the sales of this tee will be donated to us at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, as well as the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, and The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance – The...Continue
Tavora Reserve Closed as of 25/10/2024 There have been multiple slips at Tavora Reserve following the recent weather events. We are closing public access a week earlier than usual. Please pass this on to anyone heading this way over the long weekend. Thank you for your continued support and understanding...Continue
Our friends over at Little Yellow Bird have designed a beautiful tee shirt that you can buy to support the endangered hoiho. Funds raised from the sales of this tee will be donated to us at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, as well as the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, and The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance – The...Continue
Tavora Reserve Closed as of 25/10/2024 There have been multiple slips at Tavora Reserve following the recent weather events. We are closing public access a week earlier than usual. Please pass this on to anyone heading this way over the long weekend. Thank you for your continued support and understanding...Continue
Our friends over at Little Yellow Bird have designed a beautiful tee shirt that you can buy to support the endangered hoiho. Funds raised from the sales of this tee will be donated to us at the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, as well as the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, and The Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance – The...Continue
Of the yellow-eyed penguin
Two greenish-white eggs, about 75×55 mm in size, are laid. Both parents share the incubation, which takes about 43 days.
Two greenish-white eggs, about 75×55 mm in size, are laid. Both parents share the incubation, which takes about 43 days.
The eggs hatch and the guard stage begins. This is a 40-50 day period when one parent stays at the nest while the other fishes. Although guarded constantly during this stage, the chicks are still vulnerable to predators.
The guard stage is a 40-50 day period when one parent stays at the nest while the other fishes. Although guarded constantly during this stage, the chicks are still vulnerable to predators.
By the time chicks are 6-7 weeks old, both parents must fish each day to satisfy the voracious appetites of their demanding young. This is the post-guard stage and towards the end the chicks will start to lose their soft brown down.
The chicks fledge into their waterproof plumage and go to sea, an extremely hazardous time, with fewer than 20% surviving to maturity.
The parents have just a few weeks to recover and put on weight before beginning the annual moult. They are confined to land whilst they wait for their old feather coat to be replaced.
The parents have just a few weeks to recover and put on weight before beginning the annual moult. They are confined to land whilst they wait for their old feather coat to be replaced.
The penguins head out to sea but return every night to sleep, preen and socialise. Soon it will be August and the busy breeding season will begin again. About 50% of surviving juveniles will return to breed at the place where they were hatched.
The penguins head out to sea but return every night to sleep, preen and socialise. Soon it will be August and the busy breeding season will begin again. About 50% of surviving juveniles will return to breed at the place where they were hatched.
The penguins head out to sea but return every night to sleep, preen and socialise. Soon it will be August and the busy breeding season will begin again. About 50% of surviving juveniles will return to breed at the place where they were hatched.
The 28-week breeding season begins when partnerships are formed or renewed, and nest sites selected. A suitable nest site must be hidden from other breeding pairs, have a solid back such as a log, rock or flax plant, and provide shelter from harsh weather and the heat of the sun.
You’re now officially signed up as a yellow-eyed penguin supporter!