Megadyptes antipodes
Other names - Takaraka, Hoi-hoi, Yellow-crowned
Penguin, Grand Penguin, Great Penguin.
Identification - 65 cm (26 in.). A medium-sized
penguin with white underparts and slate-grey upperparts. The head
is pale golden-yellow with a clearly defined yellow band running
from the eye around the back of the head. This feature is absent
in juveniles. The other distinguishing feature is the yellow iris
giving the species its name.
Similar species - At sea could be confused
at a distance with the Blue Penguin but on land the Blue Penguin
is smaller, bluer and lacks the yellow head band
Range - Breeds on coast of Canterbury,
Otago and Southland. Also on Stewart Is. and the Auckland and Campbell
Groups. In winter ranges as far north as Cook Strait.
Status - Endangered.
Where to see - Nugget Point (Catlins Coast,
Otago), Moeraki (north-Otago coast), Oamaru, Taiaroa Heads (Otago
Peninsula).
Notes - An endemic species. Our rarest
penguin which is threatened both by predation and human encroachment.
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