Alternative name: Big-crested Penguin
- Eudyptes sclateri
Identification
Length 67-71cm
Bluish-black above, white below. Head black with yellow crest beginning above bill-base, extending over eye and sweeping upwards, brush-like at the tip. Bill red-brown with pink fleshy margin at base, feet pinkish-white with black soles. Upturned crest is diagnostic but may appear flat when wet. Underside of flipper shows more black at tip and base than any other Eudyptes species.
Distribution
Breeds on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands to the south-east of New Zealand with a few pairs on the Campbell and Auckland Islands and breeding has been attempted on the Otago Peninsula. Disperses widely after breeding but movements little-known. Regular on coasts of New Zealand north to Cook Strait, also recorded as far north as North Cape, on the Snares Islands, Chatham Islands, Macquarie, Tasmania and southern Australia and as a vagrant in the Falkland Islands.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Breeds on rocks and ledges a short distance above the high-water mark, otherwise at sea. Return to colonies from September.
Behaviour
Breeding
Solitary or loosely colonial breeder in caves and holes among tree-roots. Eggs: two, greenish-white, laid in July, second (71 x 55mm) usually larger than first (67 x 52mm). Incubated for about 42 days by both sexes. Young fed by both sexes and remain in nest hole for up to 7 months. Attain adult plumage at 12 months.
Diet
Diet consists of crustaceans, small fish and squid.
Vocalisation
Voice: A deep squawking
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Erect-crested Penguin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Erect-crested_Penguin
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
