Southern Rockhopper Penguin

Eudyptes chrysocome

The southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) is a small crested penguin of the cool temperate and subantarctic South Atlantic and southern Indian Ocean regions, with breeding colonies on rugged islands and exposed coasts. It is recognized by red eyes, a short orange bill, pink feet, and yellow eyebrow plumes that flare from the sides of the head. True to its common name, it often moves by hopping across boulders and ledges. Pairs nest in colonies among rocks, tussock grass, or peat, and adults feed at sea on krill, squid, and small fish.

Aquariums and zoos that keep rockhopper penguins manage them as cold-water marine birds, with chilled pools, clean saltwater, nesting platforms, and stable social groups. Fish diets are supplemented to replace nutrients lost during freezing and thawing, and foot health is watched closely on artificial surfaces. Field conservation work includes counting breeding pairs, tracking foraging trips, and controlling introduced predators where island conditions allow. Populations have declined in many areas, with threats linked to food availability, oil pollution, disease, fisheries interactions, and climate-driven changes in the marine environment. Visitors to wild colonies should remain on marked routes because disturbance can crush eggs or separate chicks from guarding adults.