Complete description of this species |
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Yellow-eyed Penguin couple
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Other names - Takaraka, Hoi-hoi, Yellow-crowned Penguin, Grand Penguin, Great Penguin.
Identification - 65 cm (26 in.). A medium-sized penguin with white underparts and slate-grey upperparts. The head is pale golden-yellow with a clearly defined yellow band running from the eye around the back of the head. This feature is absent in juveniles. The other distinguishing feature is the yellow iris giving the species its name.
Similar species - At sea could be confused at a distance with the Blue Penguin but on land the Blue Penguin is smaller, bluer and lacks the yellow head band.
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Yellow-eyed penguin close-up
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Range - Breeds on coast of Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Also on Stewart Is. and the Auckland and Campbell Groups. In winter ranges as far north as Cook Strait.
Status - Endangered.
Where to see - Nugget Point (Catlins Coast, Otago), Moeraki (north-Otago coast), Oamaru, Taiaroa Heads (Otago Peninsula).
Notes - An endemic species. Our rarest penguin which is threatened both by predation and human encroachment.
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