Breeding Biology of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Megadyptes antipodes on Campbell Island

Abstract

Forty-two nests of Yellow-eyed Penguins Megadyptes antipodes were dispersed in an 11 ha area of Middle Bay, Campbell Island, during the 1987-88 breeding season. Eighty-three per cent of eggs hatched. The mean hatch date was 26 November, 9 days later than that recorded on the South Island of New Zealand. Eighty-five per cent of chicks fledged at a rate of 1.4 chicks per nest. This level of success was comparable to that found during good seasons on South Island or in areas where predation levels on chicks is low. Chicks fledged at a mean weight of 5.1 kg, 108 days after hatching.