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)
We are seeking a seasonal Ranger to join our field team delivering hoiho management and habitat fieldwork. This is an exciting role. Covering the hoiho breeding season you will be carrying out the hoiho field monitoring program. This involves tasks such as hoiho nest searching, hatching and chick monitoring, moult management and a wide range...Continue
Register now for our 2024 Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust Fundraising Quiz. Attention all trivia lovers! It’s time to gather your friends, family, or coworkers and put your knowledge to the test at our upcoming fundraising quiz night! Our quiz night is taking place at 7pm on Monday 9 September 2024 at Emerson’s Brewery in Dunedin, and...Continue
We are pleased to announce details for the 2024 Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust Annual Meeting. Held via Microsoft Teams: Tuesday 26 March 2024 at 5:30pm Level 1, John Wickliffe House 265 Princes Street, Dunedin All welcome – we invite you...Continue
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a penguin lover in your life? Look no further. This year we will again be offering short, custom poems for your special someone. Make a donation online before midday on February 14th (NZ time please) and send an email to admin@yeptrust.org.nz to order your poem. Donations can...Continue
Join us for a relay around the Caledonian Track, Logan Park, Dunedin to run as many laps as there are penguin nests in the 23/24 nest counts, at 5pm, Saturday 11 November 2023. Dress up as a penguin, wear your favourite yellow t-shirt or make your own VOTE Hoiho Mask, or thrown on your normal...Continue
Applications now closed. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is pleased to announce that it is searching for two new trustees to join the Trust Board. We are looking for one full Trustee who will serve a 3-year term, as well as one Emerging Leader Trustee who will serve a 1-year term. Our objective is to consistently...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!