Identification of yellow-eyed penguins / hoiho

Adult birds

Adults have a distinctive band of yellow feathers around the back of the head and around the eyes. The crown, chin and cheeks are flecked black and yellow and the eyes are yellow. The bill is long and thin with a red-brown tip and upper, pale pink lower mandible.

The back, tail and outside of the flippers are slate grey-blue and the breast, belly and under the flippers are white.

The feet are pink on top and black on the soles.

Males and females are identical in colouring, although males tend to be slightly larger.

Juvenile birds

Immature birds have grey eyes and no yellow eye band. Yellow head plumage is muted or absent. Birds gain their adult plumage at 14-16 months once the juvenile has moulted.

Chicks

Chicks are coated with thick dark brown down until they fledge.