Rockhopper penguins are the smallest of the crested penguins and the most widespread. They are found on islands near the Antarctic polar front to those near the subtropical convergence in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
There are three sub species, all recorded in the New Zealand region; western rockhopper, chrysocome and Moseley’s rockhopper moseleyi; the eastern rockhoppers, filholi, breed on the Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands.
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Sphenisciformes |
| Family: | Spheniscidae |
| Genera: | Eudyptes |
| Species: | chrysocome |
| Sub Species: |
Other common names: —
Description: —
Native bird
55 cm., 2.8kg., smaller bill.
Where to find: —
Breed on the Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands.
Credit for the photograph: —
Illustration description: —
Gould, John, Birds of Australia, 1840-48.
Buller, Walter Lawry, Birds of New Zealand, 1873.
Reference(s): —
Heather, B., & Robertson, H., Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, 2000.
Oliver, W.R.B., New Zealand Birds, 1955.
Australian Antaractic Division
Page date & version: —
Tuesday, 26 October, 2010; ver2009v1