Yellow-eyed penguin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow-eyed penguin |
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Megadyptes
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| Megadyptes antipodes |
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| Distribution of the yellow-eyed penguin | |
The yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is a special type of penguin. It is also called the hoiho or tarakara in New Zealand. This penguin is the third largest in the world! You can easily spot it because of the bright yellow stripes on its head and around its eyes.
These penguins live and make their homes along the coasts of New Zealand. Some also live on islands near the Antarctic in the south. They are known for their loud, high-pitched calls, which you can hear from far away. Sadly, the yellow-eyed penguin is an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left in the wild, and they need our help to survive.
What Do Yellow-Eyed Penguins Eat?
Yellow-eyed penguins are great hunters in the ocean. They mainly eat small to medium-sized fish. Some of their favorite foods include red cod and squid. They dive into the water to catch their meals.
How Do Yellow-Eyed Penguins Make Their Nests?
Yellow-eyed penguins are very careful when building their nests. They use twigs, grass, and leaves to create a cozy, bowl-shaped home. Both parent penguins work together to keep their eggs warm. The eggs usually hatch after 39 to 51 days. Once the chicks are born, both parents continue to care for them until they are old enough to live on their own.
Images for kids
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A young yellow-eyed penguin in The Catlins, New Zealand.
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A family of yellow-eyed penguins at the Penguin Place Lodge at Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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A yellow-eyed penguin calling at Curio Bay, New Zealand.
