wcaptain

Grateful if experienced birdwatchers could advise the id? It was taken around Nugget Point (around Waikawa, South East of South Island, NZ) on 11 April 2012

in moulting. Cannot view its inner side of the wing and so have no idea about the colour pattern.

I guess it is a Fiorland Crested Penguin because of the short but thick bill

Any advise is welcome



[ Last edited by wcaptain at 8/11/2013 09:53 ]

ckn

It seems to be a Rockhopper Penguin --- with crest-like yellow supercilium and red iris.

wcaptain

thanks for the id.

The bird field guide of NZ said they are not common in the mainland. So, I am surprised to see it.

gary

It could be erect-crested Penguin although I can not rule out Fiordland.
I remember the Dunedin Penguin rescue centre keeping some injured  Erect-crested Penguin, which indicate an occasional occurrence of the species in southeastern South Island. Also the habitat fits this rocky cliff nesting species.
In contrast, Fiordland Penguin nests in forest, and I remember they are rarely recorded in southeastern South Island.
All by my guess, no point of evident-based ID.

wcaptain

NZ birders have confirmed that it is an eastern rockhopper penguin, a rather unusual record of the NZ mainland.

Thank all for sharing their thoughts.

wcaptain

The Records Apprasial Committee of The Ornithological Society of New Zealand has just informed that it is either a western or eastern rockhopper penguin. Neither of which has any accepted recorded on NZ mainland.

So, this observation is first to NZ mainland.

UNUSUAL BIRD RECORD (UBR) CASE NUMBER: 2013/60

[ Last edited by wcaptain at 8/11/2013 10:03 ]

sdavid

Wow, that's exciting stuff. Nice one Captain.