The erect-crested penguin is a penguin endemic to the New Zealand region and only breeds on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands. It has black upper parts, white underparts and a yellow eye stripe and crest. It spends the winter at sea and little is known about its biology and breeding habits. Populations are believed to have declined during the last few decades of the twentieth century, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed it as being "endangered".
Region
New Zealand Subantarctic
Typical Environment
Breeds on rocky coastal slopes and boulder-strewn terraces of the Bounty and Antipodes Islands, surrounded by cold, nutrient-rich subantarctic waters. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely at sea, foraging across offshore pelagic zones and along shelf breaks. Colonies are typically situated near landing sites but extend onto tussock-covered slopes and ledges. At sea it ranges broadly in the South Pacific sector around the Subtropical Front.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 150 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking crested penguin is endemic to New Zealand’s subantarctic region, breeding only on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands. It features bold yellow eyebrow plumes that can be raised into an erect crest during displays. The species shows extreme egg-size dimorphism and typically fledges only one chick. Populations have declined in recent decades, likely linked to oceanographic change and other marine pressures.
Breeding pair of Erect-crested penguins at their nest
Mixed colony of Erect-crested penguins and Salvin's albatross, Bounty Islands, New Zealand
Temperament
social and noisy
Flight Pattern
flightless; powerful underwater swimmer
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense, noisy colonies on rocky ledges and among tussock. Pairs are seasonally monogamous and perform elaborate head-shaking and trumpeting displays. They typically lay two eggs with pronounced size difference; the smaller first egg usually fails, and only one chick is reared. Adults undertake a pre-moult and post-breeding period at sea, returning to land to moult in tight groups.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud brays, trumpeting calls, and throaty growls used in mate recognition and territorial displays. Contact calls are shorter and repeated in rapid sequences within crowded colonies.
