Yellow-eyed Penguin
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| Yellow-eyed Penguin Conservation status: Endangered | ||||||||||||||
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| Missing image MegadyptesAntipodes.jpg | ||||||||||||||
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| Megadyptes antipodes (Hombron & Jacquinot,, 1841) |
The Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is a penguin found in New Zealand, on the south-east coast of South Island, Foveaux Strait and Stewart Islands, and Auckland and Campbell Islands.
This is a medium-sized penguin with pale yellow eyes, growing to approximately 65cm. It has a pale yellow head with black feather shafts. There is a band of bright yellow running from its eyes around the back of the head. The juvenile has a greyer head with no band.
This penguin usually nests in forest or scrub. It feeds mainly on Blue Cod, Red Cod, Opal Fish, sprat and squid.
The current status of this penguin is endangered, with an estimated population of 4000. It is considered one of the world's rarest penguin species. The main threats include habitat degradation, introduced predators as well as environmental changes.
Currently, scientists are baffled by a previously undescribed disease that killed off 60% of penguin chicks from spring 2004. The area that has been suffering the most from this disease is on New Zealand's South Island. The disease has been linked to an infection of corynebacterium, a family of bacteria that also causes diphtheria in humans. It has recently been described as diphtheritic stomatitis. However, it seems as if this is just a secondary infection. The primary pathogen remains unknown.
Several mainland colonies have hides and are relatively easily accessible for those wishing to watch the birds come ashore. These include colonies at Oamaru, Moeraki light-house, a number of beaches near Dunedin, and The Catlins.
External link
- Yellow-eyed penguin facts @ Penguins in New Zealand (http://www.penguin.net.nz/yep/yeps.html)
- Yellow-eyed penguins from the International Penguin Conservation Web Site (http://www.penguins.cl/yellow-penguins.htm)de:Gelbaugenpinguin