The Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) is a species of penguin closely related to the Macaroni Penguin.

This is the smallest yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin, reaching a length of 55cm. It has slate-grey upperparts and a straight, bright yellow eyebrow ending in long yellowish plumes projecting sideways behind a red eye. It breeds in colonies, from sea-level to cliff-tops, and sometimes inland. It feeds on krill, squid, octopus, fish and crustaceans.

The Rockhopper Penguin has a population of about 3.5 million pairs. The nominate race chrysocome breeds on the Falkland Islands, and on islands off Argentina and southern Chile. The subspecies moseleyi breeds on islands in Tristan da Cunha, and Amsterdam and St Paul Islands. The subspecies filholi breeds on the Prince Edward Islands, the Crozet Islands, the Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island, and Campbell, Auckland and Antipodes Islands.

The status of this species is vulnerable due to a fall of 24% in its population in the last thirty years.

As their name suggests, they spend their time hopping over rocks. When they were discovered the explorers were amused when they saw the penguins jumping all over the place.

External link

• Rockhopper Penguins from the International Penguin Conservation Web Site (http://www.penguins.cl/rockhopper-penguins.htm)

• Rockhopper Penguins from Pete & Barb's Penguin Pages (http://www.adelie.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/species_notes/rock.htm)