Northern Rockhopper Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Northern Rockhopper Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
2-3.4 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | Northern Rockhopper Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Endangered | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes moseleyi | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 45-58 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 2-3.4 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-30 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~240,300 pairs | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, Amsterdam Island, St. Paul Island | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
EndangeredYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes moseleyi
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
2-3.4 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
10-30 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
~240,300 pairs
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, Amsterdam Island, St. Paul Island
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
About Each Species
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Only recognized as a separate species from the Southern Rockhopper in 2006, Northern Rockhoppers have longer, more luxuriant crest feathers and have suffered a devastating ~90% population decline over the past century.
Learn more about Northern Rockhopper PenguinYellow-eyed Penguin
Known as Hoiho ('noise shouter') in Māori, this large, pale-faced penguin endemic to New Zealand is one of the world's rarest, unique among penguins for being largely solitary and nesting out of sight of others.
Learn more about Yellow-eyed PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Northern Rockhopper Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Yellow-eyed Penguin is larger, standing up to 79cm tall compared to the Northern Rockhopper Penguin's 58cm.
Which is more endangered, Northern Rockhopper Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Northern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as "Endangered" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do Northern Rockhopper Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
Northern Rockhopper Penguins are found in Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, Amsterdam Island, St. Paul Island. Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.