Penguin Species Profile
Erect-crested Penguin
Eudyptes sclateri
A crested penguin with an upward pointing yellow crest and a peculiar breeding system.
Conservation Status
Endangered
Population Trend
Decreasing
Species Facts
Essential profile data
Scientific name
Eudyptes sclateri
Name origin
Erect-crested penguins have stiff crests that always stand upright, or ‘erect’ in position
Estimated population
68,000-164,000 breeding pairs
Colony size
26,000-42,500 breeding pairs
Average lifespan
15-20 years
Weight range
3.5-5.5kg
Maximum height
70cm
Diet
Krill, squid, small subantarctic fish
Predators
Hooker’s sea lions, brown skuas and giant petrels
Adaptations
Feet and claws provide them with excellent climbing skills, especially on rocky terrains to reach nesting sites
Geographic breeding range
Subantarctic islands of New Zealand (Stewart Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands and Antipodes Islands)
Appearance
Chick and adult comparison
Chick Appearance
Dark brown-black plumage on the flippers, face and backside, with white plumage on belly, and pale orange feet. Eyes are black and beady. At around 70-75 days old, chicks fledge (leave their nest and colony) and begin to shed their chick feathers to reveal a juvenile feather coating underneath. Once this new coat of feathers has developed, they then go to sea.
Adult Appearance
Black plumage on the face, flippers backside, and white plumage on the belly. A yellow, upright crest sits on top of the penguin’s head, like an anti-gravity gelled hairstyle. Beak is a very dark orange, eyes are brown, and feet are pale pink or orange.
Fun Fact
Like a few other penguin species, Erect-crested penguins have a peculiar breeding system of laying two eggs, but neglecting the first one, which is around half the size of the second one.