Snares Penguin

## Description

The Snares penguin (Eudyptes robustus ), also known as the Snares crested penguin and the Snares Islands penguin, is a penguin from New Zealand. The species breeds on the Snares Islands, a group of islands off the southern coast of the South Island. It is a yellow-crested penguin, with a size of 50–70 cm (19.5–27.5 in) and a weight of 2.5–4 kg (5.5–8.8 lb). It has dark blue-black upper parts and white underparts. It has a bright yellow eyebrow-stripe which extends over the eye to form a drooping, bushy crest. It has bare pink skin at the base of its large red-brown bill.

The species nests in colonies ranging in size from around 10 nests to around 1200, under forest cover or the open. The main colonies are located on North East Island; other colonies are established on Broughton Island as well as the rocky Western Chain.

The Snares penguin's main prey is krill, supplemented by squid and small fish. The species is rated as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as its breeding range is restricted to one small island group. The population is estimated at around 25,000 breeding pairs.

## Appearance

A middle-sized crested penguin, this bird has white-colored underparts and dark slate-grey upper parts. The beak of the Snares crested penguin is darker. The animal exhibits a pale yellow band, stretching from the base of the beak above the eyes, turning into a bushy crest, consisting of feathers, hanging down the sides of the animal's hind crown. The throat and chin of the penguin are black, and the eyes are deep red. Pale pink skin borders the base of the brownish-red bill. The legs are short and the feet are webbed, colored in pale pink, and equipped with black claws. Males and females look alike, though male penguins are noticeably larger than females, having thicker beaks. Juveniles of this species are distinguished from adults by the thinner and reduced crest, brownish beak as well as black patches on the white throat. The thick first down of the chicks is dark brown above and whitish below; the second down is alike except with the pure white underparts.

## Distribution

These penguins are most frequently found on the Snares Islands, located off the southern coast of New Zealand, where they typically inhabit sheltered beaches. They can also be seen along the coasts of Tasmania, southern Australia, the Chatham Islands, and the Stewart Island: these are areas with moderate climate and necessary vegetation, where the birds roost and nest.

## Behavior

These penguins are diurnal breeders. They breed in colonies and forage in small flocks. In March-April, adult penguins undergo molting at their breeding colonies. Non-breeding penguins, mainly young individuals, molt from January to March on coastal rocks above landing sites, on the edges of their colony. When molting, Snares penguins stay on land for about 3 - 4 weeks. Occasionally, these penguins are very aggressive and territorial. During confrontations, they push each other with their beaks, which helps define the rank of individual penguins within the hierarchy system, in which they live. Huddling is a common behavior in this species: this is when the penguins huddle together to conserve the warmth. They also spend their time preening, taking oil from the preening gland on their rump and applying it to their plumage in order to maintain water repellency of their feathers.

## Diet

Snares penguins are carnivores (piscivores). Their diet consists of a wide variety of fish, krill, and squid, found in the warm waters of the southern part of New Zealand.

## Reproduction

Snares penguins have a monogamous mating system, forming lifelong pairs and using the same nesting sites year after year. As a general rule, males arrive a week before females. They start mating in September-October, gathering in colonies of several hundred pairs. The female helps the male to dig the nest, which is a shallow hole in the ground. When the nest is ready, the female lays 2 eggs, but usually only the larger, second egg hatches. The incubation period lasts 31-37 days, during which both mates take turns every 5-25 days. When the chick hatches, the male usually stays with the hatchling while the female forages to provide her offspring with food. By the age of 20 days, the chick joins a crèche of other hatchlings. At 11 weeks old, the young penguin will fledge and will be ready to go out to sea. Snares penguins reach sexual maturity by 6 years old, but first mate no sooner than 5-9 years of age.

## Population

### Population threats

The primary concern to these animals’ population is commercial fishing: waters around the Snares Islands are full of squid, attracting large fishery, which decreases the numbers of prey items.

### Population number

The overall population of these penguins is presently stable and is estimated to be about 63,000 mature birds. On the IUCN Red List, the Snares penguin is listed as a Vulnerable (VU) species.

## Fun Facts for Kids

Snares penguins are dispersive birds. Traveling for food, they are able to migrate as far as it needs until they find a suitable foraging area. They can frequently be seen on the coasts of Stewart Island, Australia, and Chatham Island, and occasionally around Tasmania.

The Snares penguin is an excellent diver and an exceptionally good swimmer. Male penguins can dive as deep as 55-120 meters, while females usually dive at a depth of only 19-20 meters.

During the breeding season, male penguins perform displays in order to attract receptive females, during which they stand with completely outstretched flippers. If a female is attracted, she stays close and joins the bowing male; then they continue bowing together, performing the display which enhances the bonds between them.

Snares penguins are highly social animals. Meanwhile, they are extremely noisy. When communicating with each other, they use a wide variety of vocalizations, which are heard from afar. Thus, we can often hear hissing, crying, and trumpeting sounds; they use a harsh barking sound as a contact call; aggression is displayed by a short growling vocalization; mates communicate through quiet humming calls.

Like all penguins, the Snares penguin has an aerodynamic shape, allowing the animal to glide through the water when swimming.