Yellow Eyed Penguin:

Yellow eyed penguins are the largest breeding of penguins found in the New Zealand. They are the only penguins that belong to “Megadyptes” genus. They are well known for their pale yellow eyes.

Scientific name: 

The scientific name of yellow eyed penguin is “Megadyptes antipodes”.

Other name: 

Yellow eyed penguins are also called as “Hoiho” that means “the noise shouter”. These penguins make a shill noise.

Total number of Yellow eyed penguins: 

• The total number of yellow eyed penguins is almost 2000.
• They are less as compared to other types of penguins.

Size: 

The average size of yellow eyed penguin is 24 inches or 60 centimeters.

Weight: 

The average weight of yellow eyed penguin is 5kg to 8kg or 11 pounds to 18 pounds.

Habitat: 

1. Yellow eyed penguins are found in New Zealand.
2. They choose southeastern coast of South Island for breeding purposes.
3. Some of them are also found in Auckland Island and Stewart Island.

Appearance: 

1. Yellow eyed penguins are quite tall.
2. They have pale yellow feathers that are uncrested and also exhibit pale yellow eyes.
3. Their chin and cheeks are black having yellow spots.
4. Head and neck are brown in colour.
5. Tail and back are blue coloured.
6. Chest and belly are white.
7. The bill is long, slender and reddish brown in colour.
8. Baby penguins have brown feathers.
9. Males are usually taller than females.

Behavior: 

1. The yellow eyed penguins don’t exhibit migration.
2. They prefer to stay at one place.
3. They are less social.
4. They prefer diving and swimming alone.
5. They are well known as underwater swimmers.

Diet: 

1. Yellow eyed penguins are carnivorous.
2. Their diet is mainly fish which includes Opal fish, silverside etc.
3. They can also eat Arrow Squid.

Reproduction: 

1. As yellow eyed penguins are antisocial, they do not form groups.
2. Their nests are far from others.
3. The breeding in yellow eyed penguins starts at the age of three or four.
4. They usually form pairs and choose their nesting spaces in August.
5. Female lays two eggs.
6. The incubation period is 40 to 50 days.
7. The parents start taking care of the young ones.
8. The feeding process occurs in shifts.
9. One parent stays with the newborn and the other parents goes in search of food.
10. After six weeks, both the parents go in search of food because of increased demands of food of the young one.
11. After three months, the chick starts searching for food by its own.

Conservation status: 

The conservation status of yellow eyed penguin is “Endangered” i.e. near to extinction.

Threats: 

There are many threats faced by yellow eyed penguins.

• Some of them are killed by sharks and sea lions.
• On the land, their lives are at risk because of ferrets, dogs and cats.

Lifespan: 

• The average lifespan of yellow eyed penguin is 8 years.
• In the wild, they can live up to 25 years.
• Males can live longer as compared to females.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Facts: 

• Yellow eyed penguins are the largest penguins that are found in New Zealand.
• They are the only penguins that belong to genus “Megadyptes”.
• They are also called as “Hoiho” (noise shouter).
• Their size is 24 inches.
• Males are taller than females.
• Their weight is 5kg to 8kg.
• They have pale yellow feathers and eyes.
• They are anti-social.
• They are carnivores.
• Their conservation status is endangered.
• There are almost 2000 yellow eyed penguins.
• Their lifespan is 8 years.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Habitat: 

• Yellow eyed penguins are found mainly in New Zealand.
• For breeding purposes, they choose southeastern coast of South Island.
• Some are found in Stewart Island and Auckland Island.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Diet: 

• They are carnivores.
• They mainly eat fish including silverside, opal fish etc.
• They also eat Arrow Squid.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Adaptations: 

Following are some adaptations of yellow eyed penguins,

• They have solid bones that help them to stay underwater.
• They have wings that act like paddle like flippers in the water.
• They have short and wedge shaped tail that helps them to maintain stability.
• They have short and strong legs that help then to swim.
• They have long bill that help them to catch food.
• They have blubber (layer of fat) under their skin to keep themselves warm.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Behavior: 

• Yellow eyed penguins are antisocial.
• They don’t exhibit migration.
• They are well known underwater swimmers.

Yellow Eyed Penguin Baby: 

• Once the incubation period of 40 to 50 days is over, the baby penguin starts demanding for food.
• The parents work in shifts to go in search of food.
• After three months, the chick start going in search of food by its own.
• Baby penguins have brown feathers.

How Big Is A Yellow Eyed Penguin? 

• On an average, the size of yellow eyed penguin is 24 inches or 60 centimeters.
• Males are taller as compared to females.

How Does The Yellow Eyed Penguin Communicate?

• Yellow eyed penguins are well known for shrill sounds that they produce for communication purposes.
• They produce short calls for locating each other.

Conclusion: 

Yellow eyed penguins are the only member of genus Megadyptes and mainly found in New Zealand. They have distinguishable pale yellow feathers and eyes.  They have antisocial behavior that distinguishes them from other type of penguins.