Photo © by Joseph Morlan
Middle Island, (restricted access), Tristan da Cunha, SH. 13 March 2018.
Alternative names: Tristan Penguin; Moseley's Rockhopper Penguin
- Eudyptes moseleyi
Identification
L. 48-58 cm (19"-23")
Adult
Red eyes; white underparts and slate-gray upperparts; a straight, bright yellow eyebrow ending in long yellow plumes behind the eye; the top of the head has spiked black feathers.
Immature
Probably indistinguishable from immature Southern Rockhopper Penguin.
Similar Species
Southern Rockhopper Penguin differs in having a widersupercilium and longer head plumes. It is also larger with longer black-based bill, and more extensive black on the leading edge of the underside of its flippers.
Distribution
Breeds on the Tristan da Cunha group, on St. Paul Island and on Amsterdam Island. Pelagic after breeding but range little-known.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.[1]
It was formerly considered a subspecies of Rockhopper Penguin.[4][6]
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.
Behaviour
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.
Diet
Crustaceans, small fish and squid.
Voice
A loud braying call.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- BirdLife International. 2017. Eudyptes moseleyi (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22734408A111151728. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22734408A111151728.en. Downloaded on 16 June 2018.
- del Hoyo, J., Collar, N. & Garcia, E.F.J. (2018). Northern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes moseleyi). 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 https://www.hbw.com/node/467261 on 16 June 2018).
- Jouventin, P., Cuthbert, R.J. and Ottvall, R. (2006) Genetic isolation and divergence in sexual traits: evidence for the northern rockhopper penguin Eudyptes moseleyi being a sibling species. Molecular Ecology, 15: 3413 - 3423.
- Shirihai, H. 2008. Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife: Birds and Marine Mammals of the Antarctic Continent and the Southern Ocean. Princeton & Oxford: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691136660
- Birdforum thread discussing taxonomy of Rockhopper Penguins
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Northern Rockhopper Penguin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Northern_Rockhopper_Penguin
