I am pretty excited that the yellow eyed penguin (Hoiho) was voted the bird of the year.
They are pretty dear to my heart, as is all the wildlife on the sub-Antarctic islands and Antarctica.
The Māori name for them is Hoiho noise shouter. Features: The yellow eyed penguin has a yellow band of feathers around its eyes and the back of its head, yellow eyes, black back and a white chest. They stand 62-79 cm tall and weight 3-8.5kg as grown adults which makes it one of the largest penguins to breed on New Zealand’s mainland makes them endemic to New Zealand.
Main breeding areas are Banks peninsula, Otago peninsula, Catlins, Stewart Island, sub-Antarctic islands Auckland and Campbell.
Yellow eyed penguins are not very social so tend to nest well away from other birds. They climb into dense bush land, scrub and flax to make homes for their nests. Young yellow eyes have grey eyes and no yellow bands, they are coated with dark brown feathers.
To feed they go 2km-25km offshore diving to depths of 160m in search of fish and other seafood.
I was lucky enough to go to help plant trees in the Catlins a few years ago, it was so special to see and help these little guys. Conservation status is nationally endangered, it would be a shame to lose them.
If you enjoyed my brief information on the yellow eyed penguins.
Please have a look at sites:
The yellow-eyed penguin Trust
Dunedin wildlife hospital
We can all make a difference 🐧
Have a wonderful day 🙂
Brenda Strang (Vet nurse)