Eudyptes chrysocome (J.R.Forster, 1781)

Description

Taxonomic Position

Eudyptes chrysocome is the smallest species of the yellow-crested, black-and-white penguins in the genus Eudyptes.

Size

Adults reach 45–58 cm (18–23 in) in length, and typically weigh 2–3.4 kg (4.4–7.5 lb); exceptionally large individuals have been recorded at up to 4.5 kg (9.9 lb).

Appearance

This species has slate-grey upper plumage, straight bright yellow eyebrows that end in long yellowish plumes that project sideways behind a red eye.

Ecology

Population Estimate

The western rockhopper penguin group of this species has an estimated global population of roughly 1 million breeding pairs.

Breeding Range

It breeds on the Falkland Islands and on islands off the coast of Patagonia.

Non-Breeding Behaviour

Outside of the breeding season, western rockhopper penguins travel and forage in the open waters offshore from their breeding colonies.

Diet

Their diet includes krill, squid, octopus, lantern fish, mollusks, plankton, cuttlefish, and is primarily made up of crustaceans.

Age Record

The oldest recorded rockhopper penguin was an individual named 'Rocky' held at Bergen Aquarium in Norway. It lived to 29 years and 4 months old before dying in October 2003, holding the age record for rockhopper penguins, and possibly being the oldest known penguin on record.