Overview
- Scientific Name: Eudyptes sclateri
- Size: Approximately 50-70 cm (20-28 inches) tall, weighing 2.5-6 kg (5.5-13.2 lbs). Males are generally larger than females.
- Habitat: Breeds on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. They spend the winter at sea in subantarctic waters.
- Conservation Status: Endangered
Diet
The Erect-Crested Penguin's diet primarily consists of small fish, krill, crustaceans, and cephalopods. They are thought to feed near the surface and may travel long distances to hunt for prey.
Social Behavior
Erect-Crested Penguins are social birds, especially during breeding season where they form large colonies. They use various displays and calls for communication, including ecstatic displays during courtship, and growling or barking sounds during aggressive encounters or nest defense. They also engage in mutual preening and bowing as part of pair bonding. While affectionate with partners and offspring, they can be aggressive towards unrelated individuals, defending their space with beaks and flippers.
Interesting Facts
- They are named for the prominent yellow crest of feathers that rise from above their eyes.
- Erect-Crested Penguins have a unique breeding system where they lay two eggs, but typically only the second, larger egg survives. The first egg is often lost or deliberately pushed out of the nest.
- Their breeding colonies are usually located on rocky terrain, sometimes alongside other penguin species like the Southern Rockhopper Penguin and even Salvin's albatross.
- The exact winter migration routes and feeding grounds of Erect-Crested Penguins are not well known.
- The population of Erect-Crested Penguins has declined significantly since the late 20th century, leading to their endangered status.