Description
& Characteristics:
Erect-crested
penguins are perhaps some of the rarest and most mysterious
of the penguins. Secluded in huge colonies on the bare, exposed
rocks of the Bounty Islands and on the tussock-clad beaches
and cliffs of the Antipodes Islands, they are often left undisturbed
and unstudied. Only recently have scientists begun to observe
the behaviors of this remote and elusive species.
The characteristic features of this species are the distinctive
upward-sweeping crests of long brush-like feathers which extend
from the base of the bill to the top of the head. The penguins
are able to raise and lower these stiff crest feathers, which
none of the other crested penguins can do. Erect-crested penguins
have chocolate brown eyes, and parallel sides on the top horny
ridge of the bill.
It
is thought that Erest-crested penguins dine on fish and krill
near the surface of the sea and that they may travel great
distances in search of food.
The males
return to breeding colonies in September with the females
following two weeks later. Erect-crested penguins are very
sociable and nest in large, raucous colonies located close
to and in association with colonies of Rockhoppers.
Fighting over nests is a frequent occurrence at these colonies
as prime nesting locations are often hard to come by and competition
can be fierce.
The nests
themselves are simple affairs often comprising just a few
stones and a little mud, and are sometimes lined with grasses.
Two eggs are laid, the first of which is usually lost due
to neglect, failure to fertilize or misdirection of a hormonal
signal. The second egg is up to twice the size of the first
and is the only one seriously incubated. The chicks fledge
in February and the adults return to sea for the winter after
molting in March.
Erect-crested
penguins are preyed upon by skuas
and Fur seals.
