Distinguishing featuresRockhoppers are the smallest of the crested penguins. They can be distinguished by the shape of their crests; they have a thin yellow stripe that starts just behind the beak and runs toward the back of the head for a few cm. before developing into a large drooping crest. Chicks have grey black backs and white fronts. |
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Sub-species |
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E.c.filholi |
E.c. chryscome |
E.c. Moselyi |
Three sub-species are recognised with the adults differing in size and in the appearance of the crests. Eastern Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome filholi) are slightly larger, have a very thin stripe on the head and a pink fleshy gape. Southern Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) lack the pink fleshy gape and are slightly smaller than the Eastern sub-species. They are the most numerous of the rockhoppers Northern Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) have much the longest plumes which can extend well below the demarcation between the black and white on the throat, and also a distinctive voice. Also known as Long-crested Rockhopper. |
Height & WeightAdult rockhoppers vary in height from 45 to 55cm. Rockhoppers weights vary considerably between individuals with larger birds weighing up to 5 kg. Typical weights are around 2.7 kg. |
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Breeding locations |
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| Rockhoppers breed on more or less every
sub-Antarctic Island. There are major colonies on the Falkland Islands (E. c. chrysocome
- dark blue dots on the map), Macquarie Island (E. c. filholi red
dots on the map), Marion and Prince Edward Islands and Kerguelen Island. E. c. moseleyi
(pink dots on the map) breed in smaller colonies on Tristan da Cunha,
Gough and Amsterdam Islands.
The breeding population of E. c. filholi is estimated to be 800,000 pairs on 8 islands (or island groups) and is declining. The breeding population of E. c. chrysocome is estimated to be 600,000 pairs on 12 islands (or island groups) and is declining. The breeding population of E. c. moseleyi is estimated to be 350,000 pairs on 2 island groups and is thought to be declining. |
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Nesting behaviourNests are usually small scrapes lined with vegetation. Two eggs are usually laid but normally only one chick is reared (from the second egg). Adults share duties during the 32 to 34 day incubation period in long shifts of typically 10 days. The male broods and guards the chicks for 24 to 26 days after hatching with the female bringing home the food for the chick. Chicks then form into creches with both parents bringing food. The chicks moult and leave for the sea at the age of 65 to 75 days. |
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Principal dietRockhoppers take a mixed diet based mainly (60 to 70%) on krill with various fish and squid making up the remainder. |
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Alternative namesAs far as we know there are no alternative names for Rockhopper penguins. If you know of any please send us an email. |
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Penguins John Sparks and Tony Soper, Facts on File Publications, Oxford, 1987.
Penguins of the World Pauline Reilly, OUP, Oxford, 1994.
The Penguins Tony D Williams, OUP, Oxford, 1995.
Penguin CAMP reports, IUCN, 1998 and 2004.
