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)
Register now for our 2023 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 on Thursday 22 June 2023, and promises to be an unforgettable evening filled...Continue
The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust / Te Tautiaki Hoiho seeks a highly motivated person to lead the organisation. Due to a retirement, this unique opportunity has arisen for a new General Manager to lead our organisation and implement our strategic direction. The Trust’s work focuses on both the terrestrial and marine environments where the nationally endangered...Continue
We are pleased to announce details for the 2023 Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust Annual Meeting. Held via Zoom: Tuesday 28 March 2023 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 seeing you....Continue
The date has been set for the 2023 Yellow-eyed Penguin Symposium. Please pencil in Saturday 5th August for this event. Registrations will open and further information shared, closer to the time. We hope to see you there....Continue
Published by the Otago Daily Times 20 January 2023 – Click on the image above for the full story....Continue
This valuable work is heading in the right direction to help understand the challenges of diseases affecting hoiho. We know it’s only one part of the problem but it is a step forward. We were delighted to support the researchers in this important work. ...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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