Yellow-Eyed Penguin / Hoiho (Megadyptes antipodes)

The Yellow - Eyed Penguin is the rarest of the 18 species and endemic to NZ. Over half the South Island's population lives on the Otago Peninsula thanks to various conservation efforts. They can also be found on Stewart, Auckland and Campbell Islands.

They are a very private bird and like to nest in coastal dune vegetation, shrub land and forest away from other birds. They are the 'mountaineers' of penguins and can travel hundreds of metres from sea and up steep terrain. They go fishing during the day and return before dusk all year round. Usually they mate for life but occasionally there is a divorce and they find new partners. The nest is built in August and 2 eggs are laid in September/October. These birds are extremely shy so we have built our own private hide to view them in.