Erect-crested Penguin vs Fiordland Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Erect-crested Penguin and Fiordland Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Erect-crested Penguin
Fiordland Penguin
Size Comparison
Erect-crested Penguin
50-70 cm
2.5-6 kg
Fiordland Penguin
51-71 cm
2.7-5.9 kg
| Feature | Erect-crested Penguin | Fiordland Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes sclateri | Eudyptes pachyrhynchus |
| Height | 50-70 cm | 51-71 cm |
| Weight | 2.5-6 kg | 2.7-5.9 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 10-20 years |
| Population | ~150,000 pairs | ~5,500-7,000 pairs |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Small fish | Squid, Crustaceans, Small fish |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Sub-Antarctic islands | Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, Dense vegetation |
| Regions | Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands (New Zealand) | New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Eudyptes |
Conservation Status
Erect-crested Penguin
EndangeredFiordland Penguin
VulnerableScientific Name
Erect-crested Penguin
Eudyptes sclateri
Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
Height
Erect-crested Penguin
50-70 cm
Fiordland Penguin
51-71 cm
Weight
Erect-crested Penguin
2.5-6 kg
Fiordland Penguin
2.7-5.9 kg
Lifespan
Erect-crested Penguin
15-20 years
Fiordland Penguin
10-20 years
Population
Erect-crested Penguin
~150,000 pairs
Fiordland Penguin
~5,500-7,000 pairs
Diet
Erect-crested Penguin
Krill, Squid, Small fish
Fiordland Penguin
Squid, Crustaceans, Small fish
Habitat
Erect-crested Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Sub-Antarctic islands
Fiordland Penguin
Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, Dense vegetation
Regions
Erect-crested Penguin
Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands (New Zealand)
Fiordland Penguin
New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island
Genus
Erect-crested Penguin
Eudyptes
Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes
About Each Species
Erect-crested Penguin
One of the least-known penguin species, named for distinctive upward-pointing yellow crest feathers they can raise and lower at will. They breed on two remote island groups south of New Zealand.
Learn more about Erect-crested 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, Erect-crested Penguin or Fiordland Penguin?
The Fiordland Penguin is larger, standing up to 71cm tall compared to the Erect-crested Penguin's 70cm.
Which is more endangered, Erect-crested Penguin or Fiordland Penguin?
The Erect-crested Penguin is classified as "Endangered" while the Fiordland Penguin is "Vulnerable".
Do Erect-crested Penguins and Fiordland Penguins live in the same area?
Erect-crested Penguins are found in Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands (New Zealand). Fiordland Penguins are found in New Zealand (South Island), Stewart Island.