Eastern Rockhopper Penguin vs Fiordland Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin and Fiordland Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Fiordland Penguin
Size Comparison
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
2-3.4 kg
Fiordland Penguin
51-71 cm
2.7-5.9 kg
| Feature | Eastern Rockhopper Penguin | Fiordland Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes filholi | Eudyptes pachyrhynchus |
| Height | 45-58 cm | 51-71 cm |
| Weight | 2-3.4 kg | 2.7-5.9 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-30 years | 10-20 years |
| Population | ~1,600,000 pairs | ~5,500-7,000 pairs |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans | Squid, Crustaceans, Small fish |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass | Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, Dense vegetation |
| Regions | Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island | New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Eudyptes |
Conservation Status
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
VulnerableFiordland Penguin
VulnerableScientific Name
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes filholi
Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
Height
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
Fiordland Penguin
51-71 cm
Weight
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
2-3.4 kg
Fiordland Penguin
2.7-5.9 kg
Lifespan
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
10-30 years
Fiordland Penguin
10-20 years
Population
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
~1,600,000 pairs
Fiordland Penguin
~5,500-7,000 pairs
Diet
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans
Fiordland Penguin
Squid, Crustaceans, Small fish
Habitat
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass
Fiordland Penguin
Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, Dense vegetation
Regions
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island
Fiordland Penguin
New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island
Genus
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes
Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes
About Each Species
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Recognized as a distinct species from the Western Rockhopper since 2006, Eastern Rockhoppers breed on sub-Antarctic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and share the same bold yellow crest and red eyes as their relatives.
Learn more about Eastern Rockhopper PenguinFiordland Penguin
Also known as Tawaki, this elusive yellow-crested penguin nests in dense temperate rainforests along New Zealand's Fiordland coast — one of the few penguins to breed in forest environments.
Learn more about Fiordland PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Fiordland Penguin?
The Fiordland Penguin is larger, standing up to 71cm tall compared to the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin's 58cm.
Which is more endangered, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Fiordland Penguin?
The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the Fiordland Penguin is "Vulnerable".
Do Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and Fiordland Penguins live in the same area?
Eastern Rockhopper Penguins are found in Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island. Fiordland Penguins are found in New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island.