From Opus

Photo by Peter R. Bono
Location: Falkland Islands

Eudyptes chrysocome

Includes: Eastern and Western Rockhopper Penguin

[edit] Identification

Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrysocome Slaty to blue-black above and white below. Head blackish with occipital crest and golden-yellow superciliary crest, narrow in front of the eye and culminating in drooping plumes towards the nape. Bill dull orange or red-brown with fleshy margin at base from pink to black. Feet pink with black soles.

Length 55-64cm.

[edit] Distribution

Range Circumpolar in the subantarctic and the most widespread of the Eudyptes penguins. Breeds on islands off Tierra del Fuego, the Falklands, Prince Edward, Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard, Macquarie, Campbell, Auckland and Antipodes Islands. Pelagic after breeding but range little-known. Winters north to 350S off South America and also occurs off South Africa and Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized:

• E. c. chrysocome
• E. c. filholi

Nominate race breeds off South America and on the Falklands, filholi (more extensive black on leading edge of flipper underside but less so than moseleyi) in remainder of range.

Both subspecies are sometimes accepted as full species; Northern Rockhopper Penguin has recently been split by SACC..

[edit] Habitat

Breeds in caves and rocky crevices, or in the open on cliff-tops and ledges, often at some height above the sea. Present at colonies October-May and at sea for the rest of the year.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

Colonial breeder on steep slopes and coastlines. Nest is in a cave or crevice, in dense vegetation or in the open, a structure of stomes, grass and feathers. Eggs: two, dull white with and greenish tinge, soon becoming stained. Laid in late October-early November, (77 x 45mm) second larger than first. Incubated for about 42 days by both sexes but only one young is usually raised.

[edit] Diet

Crustaceans, small fish and squid.

[edit] Voice

A loud braying call.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Birdforum thread discussing taxonomy of Rockhopper Penguins

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID