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 2016)
We are excited to be teaming up with the South’s new professional basketball team – The Southern Hoiho. Join us at the Edgar Centre for their home games, and help us cheer them on. Sunday – 3 July 2022 – 12:30pm Wednesday – 20 July 2022 – 7:00pm Sunday – 24 July 2022 – 12:30pm...Continue
The annual Yellow-eyed Penguin Symposium is on again for 2022. Please note the date for this symposium is a week earlier than normal. Date: Saturday 30 July 2022 Time: 9am – 4pm Venue: Archway 2 Lecture Theatre (located in the Archway Building on the corner of Union Street...Continue
(Vision supplied by University of Otago). (Source: 1News) Technology is being used to shed light on the elusive Stewart Island yellow-eyed penguin, and their underwater behaviour that, until now, remained a mystery. There’s a lack of research studying the hoiho, a species that has become critically endangered, according to Otago University Zoology Department researcher Thor...Continue
APPLICATIONS CLOSED. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is happy to announce a search for an Emerging Leader to serve on the Trust Board. You will be a full voting and participating trustee on a special one-year term from the date of appointment. Our goal is to bring a fresh and different perspective to our Board and...Continue
We are pleased to announce details for the 2022 Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust Annual Meeting. Held via Zoom: Tuesday 22 March 2021 at 6:30pm Level 1, John Wickliffe House 265 Princes Street, Dunedin All welcome – we invite you to join us via Zoom. Please contact generalmanager@yeptrust.org.nz to register. We look forward to...Continue
Current Vacancy: Ranger (full time, fixed term) The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust is excited to advertise a new vacancy in our team. We are looking forward to receiving applications from conservation-minded people to join our team as a Ranger on a one-year contract. This person will work on the frontline on our coastal habitat conservation and...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.
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