Erect-crested Penguin — Australian Bird Identification Guide

Bird guideErect-crested Penguin

Also look for pale blue skin at the base of the bill.

⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilyPenguins

SizeLarge

RarityRare

HabitatThe erect-crested penguin ( Eudyptes sclateri ; Māori : Tawaki nana hī ) is a penguin endemic to the New Zealand region and only breeds on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands .

Best timeMost reliable in Tasmania from February.

Sounds

Sound sample

0:000:00

Recorded by Frank Lambert

Range map

Occurrence window

1visible hotspots

1visible records

0states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

A subantarctic breeder, with main colonies on Bounty and Antipodes Islands. Disperses widely at the end of breeding season. A small number molt on the east coast of the North and South Islands in the fall. Forms small groups at sea. Voice a low-pitched booming bray. Distinguished from Snares and Fiordland Penguins by pale white-blue skin at bill base and less “V-shaped” crest when seen head-on.

Behavior

Note the distinct broad yellow eyebrow rising over the eye to form a stiff brush-like crest.

Gallery

Regional timing

Tasmania

Peak: February5 records

Victoria

Peak: February1 records

Commonly confused with

Royal PenguinEudyptes schlegeliNote bright yellow, orange, and black plumes. Easily distinguished from Macaroni Penguin by whitish face, and from Chinstrap Penguin by crests.→Eastern Rockhopper PenguinEudyptes filholiCompare this bird carefully in the field→