Description
& Characteristics:
The
seclusive Fjordland crested penguin can be found along the
shores of deeply indented bays (fjords) on the southern and
southwestern coasts of New Zealand. Breeding in rugged coastal
rainforests they nest individually, or in loose colonies,
close to the water. Easily disturbed by humans, their population
appears to be decreasing as a result of chick predation by
introduced species such as dogs, cats, ferrets, and stoats.
Fjordland
crested penguins have yellow crests which originate close
to the bills and sweep back like eyebrows drooping down to
the back of the head. The black cheek feathers often part
to expose their blue pale bases, giving them a striped or
mottled effect. The head, throat and upperparts are black
and underparts are white. The Fjordland crested penguin is
easily confused with the Snares
Island penguin and the Erect-crested
penguin. A few key features, however, will aid in identification
while they are on land, at least. Fjordland crested penguins
and Snares Island penguins have similar crests, but Snares
Island penguins typically have pink skin patches directly
behind the bill; Fjordland penguins do not. Unlike the Erect-crested
penguin, only the most hind portions of the Fjordland crests
appear erect.
Fjordland
penguins nest in loose communities under bushes, in rocky
crevices or among tree roots, close to but out of sight of
each other. The males return to the breeding sites in June
(mid winter), usually to the site of last year's nest. The
female follows shortly after and two eggs are laid in July.
The eggs are incubated for 30 to 36 days with the parents
taking turns on the nest (in long 5 to 12 day shifts) while
the other goes out to sea to feed.
As is
the case with many penguin species, the first egg usually
fails to hatch, and even if both chicks do hatch, the smaller
chick from the first egg is often unable to compete for food,
dying of starvation within a short time. Scientists think
this genetic trait has evolved as a means of ensuring at least
one healthy offspring. The surviving chick is then guarded
by the male and fed by the female for the first few weeks
of life. After this, both parents feed the chick, taking turns
hunting for food. Wandering chicks may often 'creche' (form
groups) with other chicks if they are nearby, but they will
return to the nest to be fed. Chicks fledge (replacing their
grayish down feathers with adult feathers) in November, when
they are ten weeks old and are now able to swim and find food
on their own. They will return to their home colonies to breed
at around five years of age.
Natural
predators of Fjordland crested penguins include Fur
seals
and some large fish species.
