Penguin Species Profile
Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes pachyrynchus
A secretive penguin that breeds in remote coastal forests and other hidden areas.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Population Trend
Decreasing
Species Facts
Essential profile data
Scientific name
Eudyptes pachyrynchus
Name origin
Fiordland penguins are situated in the Fiordland region of New Zealand. Some also refer to them as Tawaki penguins
Estimated population
2500-3000 breeding pairs
Colony size
10-30 nests
Average lifespan
10-20 years
Weight range
2-5.95kg
Maximum height
61cm
Diet
Squid, octopus, crustaceans (mainly krill) and small fish.
Predators
Dogs, cats, ferrets, rats and weka
Adaptations
Smaller bodies and less feathers than Antarctic penguins.
Geographic breeding range
South coast of the South island of New Zealand, and Stewart islands.
Appearance
Chick and adult comparison
Chick Appearance
Dark brown-black plumage on the flippers, face and backside, with white plumage on belly, and a black beak and feet. Eyes are a very dark brown. At around 65-75 days of age, chicks fledge. In the following image, a chick at Taronga Zoo is aged 9 weeks old. Its chick feathers have fallen off its head, revealing its adult feathers.
Adult Appearance
Black plumage on the face, flippers, and white plumage on the belly. A yellow crest lines the sides of the penguin’s head. Beak is a very dark orange or orange-brown, eyes are brown, and feet are pale pink.
Fun Fact
Unlike other penguin species, Fiordland penguins like to live and breed in rainforests, caves, and the underneath of tree roots (They prefer to stay hidden from the wild).