Alternative Name: Snares Crested Penguin
- Eudyptes robustus
Identification
Length: 56-73cm (22-28¾")
Blue-black above, white below. Head black with broad yellow crest beginning above bill-base and extending over the eye to become flared at the rear. Bill red-brown with fleshy pink margin at base, feet pinkish with black soles. Differs from Fiordland Crested Penguin in generally darker plumage on head, brighter and bushier crest, fleshy margin to bill-base and lack of white streaks on cheek.
Distribution
Breeds only on the Snares Islands, south-east of Stewart Island, New Zealand. Outside breeding season range is little-known but recorded on the Antipodes Islands, on the New Zealand coast north to the Banks Peninsula, the Macquarie Islands, Tasmania and southern Australia.
Taxonomy
This species is monotypic.[1]
Habitat
Breeds in densely-packed colonies in clearings in the dense scrub of the Snares and reached via small creeks. Nests on bare rock on the nearby Western Reef. Present at colonies from August until April.
Behaviour
- Diet: Mainly crustaceans, small fish and squid.
- Voice: A staccato bark and various whistling, grunting and braying calls.
- Breeding: Colonial breeder, eggs: two, greenish-white, laid in September, young fledged by end of January.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (coordinating editors) 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Volume 1, Ratites to ducks; Part A, Ratites to petrels. Melbourne, Oxford University Press.
- Martínez, I., Christie, D.A., Jutglar, F. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2017). Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/52462 on 17 February 2017).
- Miskelly, C.M. 2013. Snares crested penguin. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. http://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
- Oliver, W.R.B. 1953. 1953. The crested penguins of New Zealand. Emu 53: 185–187. Emu 53: 185-187
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Snares Penguin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Snares_Penguin
