Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
The Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) is a rare penguin found in 2 countries, weighing about 3.9 kg. The Fiordland penguin, also known as the Fiordland crested penguin, is a crested penguin species endemic to New Zealand.
About the Fiordland Penguin
The Fiordland penguin, also known as the Fiordland crested penguin, is a crested penguin species endemic to New Zealand. It currently breeds along the south-western coasts of New Zealand's South Island as well as on Stewart Island/Rakiura and its outlying islands. Because it originally ranged beyond Fiordland, it is sometimes referred to as the New Zealand crested penguin. It is occasionally found in Australia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This species is a medium-sized, yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin, growing to approximately 55 cm (22 in) long and weighing on average 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), with a weight range of 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11.0 lb). The face possesses white markings and the front is white while the head and body are black. Its broad, yellow crest begins at the base of the beak and extends over the eye, dropping down the neck. It can be distinguished from the similar erect-crested penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) and Snares penguin (Eudyptes robustus) in having no bare skin around the base of its bill.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Fiordland Penguin?
- This species is a medium-sized, yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin, growing to approximately 55 cm (22 in) long and weighing on average 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), with a weight range of 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11.0 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Fiordland Penguin?
- The Fiordland Penguin is a huge sized bird weighing about 3.9 kg.
- Where can you see a Fiordland Penguin?
- The Fiordland Penguin occurs in 2 countries, including New Zealand.
- What birds look similar to a Fiordland Penguin?
- The Fiordland Penguin is most easily confused with the Royal Penguin, the Western Rockhopper Penguin and the Macaroni Penguin.
- Is the Fiordland Penguin endangered?
- The Fiordland Penguin is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Fiordland Penguin for real
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