 |
By Erin Hartl
Geographic Range
Megadyptes antipodes is found in the New Zealand sub Antarctic regions. It is found on the southeast coast of South Island and in the coastal forests of Stewart Island. It can also be found on Auckland and Campbell Islands (Vernon 1991).
Biogeographic Regions:
australian 
(native ).
Habitat
Megadyptes antipodes nests in the coastal forests of New Zealand. It prefers secluded spots that are usually backed by a tree or log. Individuals will not nest in sight of other birds. (Houston, 1998a; Houston, 1998b)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; terrestrial ; saltwater or marine .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest .
Aquatic Biomes:
coastal .
Physical Description
(176 to 281.6 oz)
Megadyptes antipodes is a tall and slender penguin. It stands just over 60 cm and weighs five to eight kilograms. Its distinct features are its yellow eyes and yellow feathers that encircle the head. The rest of the animal is black and white. Males and females look similar but males often have a larger head and feet. Megadyptes antipodes only varies in appearance during the molting season, when feathers are being replaced. Juveniles have gray and not yellow eyes; the yellow feathers are usually absent or muted also. The rest of the body is a downy gray or dark brown. Megadyptes antipodes is the fourth largest penguin in the world
(Vernon 1991; Houston 1998; Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust 1998).
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Yellow-eyed penguins breed once yearly.
Megadyptes antipodes begins its breeding season in August with the selection of mates and nest sites.
When M. antipodes mates, the male mounts the female and rests his neck on the back of hers and vibrates his flippers along her sides.
Megadyptes antipodes begins its breeding season in August with the selection of mates and nest sites. Prior to August, beginning in approximately May, M. antipodes begins the courting season. Pairs of M. antipodes usually stay together for years, only parting when one dies or there is a failure to raise a family. The male fertilizes two eggs that have already developed inside the female. Twelve days later the female lays the eggs. Megadyptes antipodes has a 39-51 day incubation period. For six weeks after hatching, the chicks are guarded. One parent will stay at the nest while the other dives for food in the ocean.
After the chicks are six weeks old, both parents will hunt for food in the ocean, leaving the chicks on their own. Chicks usually leave the nest in mid-February. Megadyptes antipodes reaches sexual maturity at two or three for females and three to five for males. (Houston, 1998a; Houston, 1998b; Vernon, 1991)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous .
Lifespan/Longevity
An average life span is 23 years.
Behavior
Unlike other penguin species, M. antipodes is not a colonially nesting species. Pairs usually seek privacy for their nests. It does not socialize very much with other penguins. The only social times are during mating rituals and after molting.
During mating periods, M. antipodes groups with other individuals and looks for a mate. Calls and certain body language show whether mates are interested. In the weeks after molting, M. antipodes returns to the sea in one of the most social times of the year. During molting individuals can lose up to eight pounds. All individuals then return to the sea to gain back this weight. While there, it feeds and preens the new feathers. It avoids confrontations by turning its back and preening. Individuals usually hunt alone or in groups of two or three. It is a strong swimmer and can outswim most predators in the sea. (Vernon, 1991; Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust, 1998)
Key behaviors:
natatorial ; diurnal ; motile ; sedentary ; solitary .
Food Habits
Megadyptes antipodes is a carnivore, mostly feeding on fish and squid. It is especially fond of red cod, opal fish, sprat, silversides, ahuru and blue cod (Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust 1998).
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Megadyptes antipodes attracts many tourists to New Zealand. It is also of importance to scientists since they believe it might be the most ancient species of penguin
(Vernon 1998).
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Endangered.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
Megadyptes antipodes is an endangered species. A 1992 estimate concluded that 5,930-6,970 individuals lived in New Zealand. However, not all of these birds were breeders. Drops in numbers of M. antipodes are attributed to destruction of habitat, fires, grazing, predation, and food shortages. Humans and livestock also disturb this penguin. Predators on M. antipodes include wild cats, ferrets, stoats and dogs.
Many efforts are being made to save M. antipodes. The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust has set out to protect the animals' habitat, create reserves, fence in breeding areas and control predators. The New Zealand Department of Conservation in conjunction with the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has also set out to help the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust. This species is protected under law by the Wildlife Act of 1953. However the habitat of this bird is not
(Vernon 1991; Stonehouse 1997; Houston 1998; Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust 1998).
Other Comments
The Maori people of New Zealand named M. antipodes "Hoiho". It is also the sole species of its genus
(Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust 1998).
Contributors
Erin Hartl (author), University of Michigan.
Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.
