Endangered Penguins - Crested Penguins

Of the crested penguins only the Erect-crested is listed as Endangered.  The Erect-crested penguins are limited to only two main breeding locations (Bounty and Antipodes Islands).  Populations at both locations are reported to be falling.   The main reason seems to be a lack of suitable food - probably due to  natural changes in prey species migration, etc. However, the influence of possible over-fishing and global warming cannot be ruled out.

All the other crested penguins (except the Macaroni penguins which have a healthy and stable population) are listed as Vulnerable.  Probably the species in the most immediate danger is the Fiordland penguin which is only found on the isolated West coast of South Island of New Zealand and on Stewart Island and is in danger for two reasons. First, man has introduced several animals (rats, stoats, cats, dogs, etc.) that attack penguins in their nests and take chicks and eggs. Secondly, as the human population grows, so people are starting to move in to the remote areas where these birds breed. At present, little is known about the population of these birds, or how it is changing as man encroaches on their living space.

The major threat to all the other crested penguin species are from reduction in food stocks from overfishing or climate change.