Yellow-eyed Penguin

The Yellow-eyed Penguin, known to the Maori as "hoiho" (noise shouter), is a large, pale-headed penguin found only in New Zealand. It has slate-grey upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive pale yellow band that runs from the eyes around the back of the head, framing its striking pale yellow eyes.

Unlike many penguin species that nest in dense, noisy colonies, the Yellow-eyed Penguin is unusually solitary, preferring nest sites hidden within coastal forest or scrub, out of sight and sound of neighboring pairs.

One of the world's rarest penguin species, its population has declined due to habitat loss, introduced predators, disease, and changing ocean conditions affecting its food supply.

Key field marks

• Pale yellow eyes and a pale yellow band sweeping from the eyes around the back of the head
• Slate-grey back and crown, white underparts
• Pinkish feet, stout pinkish-grey bill

Similar species

• Fiordland Penguin and other crested penguins have dark eyes and prominent yellow crest plumes over the eyebrows rather than a yellow head-band, and dark eyes rather than pale yellow ones.
• No other New Zealand penguin combines pale yellow eyes with the solid yellow head-band, making this species distinctive within its range.

Yellow-eyed Penguins breed along the southeastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, on Stewart Island, and on the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands. Unlike most penguins, they nest inland from the shoreline in coastal forest, scrub, or tall grassland, favoring sites with cover that shield the nest from view.

The species is largely sedentary, remaining near its breeding range throughout the year, with some local movement in search of food.

Voice

Yellow-eyed Penguins give a variety of calls including loud shrieking or trumpeting sounds, particularly at dawn and dusk, which contributed to the Maori name "hoiho."

Feeding

They dive to moderate depths to catch small fish such as opalfish and red cod, along with squid, typically foraging alone rather than in groups.

Nesting and breeding

Pairs nest apart from one another, often out of sight of neighboring nests, tucked into vegetation, tree roots, or rock crevices. They generally lay two eggs, and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing over an extended breeding season.