Fiordland Penguin
Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
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.
Fiordland penguin in dense rainforest habitat
IUCN Red List status
Listed as Vulnerable with an estimated 5,500–7,000 breeding pairs.
Red List history and threatsEstimated population
~6,250 mature individuals
Decreasing trend
Estimate assessed 2016.
Fiordland crested penguins (tawaki) are medium-sized, yellow-crested penguins that breed along the rugged southwestern coasts of New Zealand's South Island plus Stewart Island/Rakiura and nearby islands. They nest in dense temperate coastal forest among tree roots and rocks, often in very shaded, wet sites that make their breeding habitat quite "rainforest-like" compared with the open beaches many penguins use.
Females lay two eggs, with the first being much smaller and more likely to die — a brood-reduction pattern that is unusual among birds — and yet overall breeding success is comparatively high for the genus. They are extremely shy and one of the most elusive penguin species, rarely seen due to their remote habitat in some of New Zealand's most rugged and inaccessible coastline.
If You Only Learn One Thing About This Penguin
Fiordland Penguins look like crested rock specialists until they vanish into wet forest. Tawaki survive by being hard to reach and harder to read.
The Survival Problem
They must move between rough surf and concealed forest nests while staying hidden from predators and human disturbance in a very narrow breeding window.
What Makes This Species Weird
This is a crested penguin that treats dense rainforest, caves, and boulder tangles as normal nesting habitat, which still feels wrong until you see where it lives.
Myth vs Reality
Myth
All crested penguins breed on bare, noisy slopes.
Reality
Fiordland birds often nest in dark, wet, sheltered places where secrecy matters more than spectacle.
Behavior & Traits
- Nest in dense temperate coastal forest among tree roots and rocks — one of the few penguins to breed in forest environments
- Females lay two eggs but the first is much smaller and more likely to die, an unusual brood-reduction pattern
- Extremely shy and one of the most elusive penguin species due to their remote habitat
- Breed along some of New Zealand's most rugged and inaccessible coastline
Habitat & Range
Diet
Conservation
Listed as Vulnerable with an estimated 5,500–7,000 breeding pairs. Their remote rainforest habitat provides some natural protection, but introduced predators (stoats, dogs, cats) and human disturbance are significant threats. Their shy, elusive nature makes population monitoring challenging, and the brood-reduction strategy means each pair typically raises only one chick per season.
Red List history
The Fiordland Penguin is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of ~6,250 mature individuals and a decreasing trend. We have not recorded a category change for this species.
Check the current Red List assessmentMain threats
- Introduced predators
- Disturbance in accessible breeding areas
- Marine food variability
Common predators
Breeding & Movement
Breeding
- Nests in dense forest, caves, and coastal boulder fields.
- Adults often travel under cover and use secluded access paths to colonies.
Movement
- Fiordland Penguins spend much of the year foraging at sea and return to established breeding colonies on land or ice.
Fun Facts
One of the few penguin species that nests in dense rainforest
Also known as 'Tawaki' in Māori
They are extremely shy and one of the most elusive penguin species
Females lay two eggs but the first is much smaller and usually dies — an unusual brood-reduction strategy
Their breeding habitat is so wet and shaded it's described as 'rainforest-like'
Despite the brood-reduction pattern, their overall breeding success is comparatively high for crested penguins
They nest among tree roots and rocks along some of New Zealand's most rugged coastline
Research Gap
The biggest mystery is still the non-breeding season: where tawaki go at sea, how they partition habitat, and which marine risks matter most away from colonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is a Fiordland Penguin?
Fiordland Penguins stand 51–71 cm tall and typically weigh 2.7–5.9 kg.
What do Fiordland Penguins eat?
Fiordland Penguins primarily eat squid, crustaceans, and small fish. Prey choice tracks ocean conditions and breeding season energy needs as much as preference.
Where do Fiordland Penguins live?
Fiordland Penguins are found in New Zealand (South Island) and Stewart Island. Habitats include Temperate rainforest, Rocky coastlines, and Dense vegetation.
What is the main survival problem for Fiordland Penguins?
They must move between rough surf and concealed forest nests while staying hidden from predators and human disturbance in a very narrow breeding window.
Are Fiordland Penguins endangered?
The Fiordland Penguin is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Estimated population: ~6,250 mature individuals. Population trend: decreasing. Listed as Vulnerable with an estimated 5,500–7,000 breeding pairs. Their remote rainforest habitat provides some natural protection, but introduced predators (stoats, dogs, cats) and human disturbance are significant threats. Their shy, elusive nature makes population monitoring challenging, and the brood-reduction strategy means each pair typically raises only one chick per season.
How long do Fiordland Penguins live?
Fiordland Penguins typically live 10–20 years in the wild, though food access, predation, and breeding success can cut that short.
What is a common myth about Fiordland Penguins?
Myth: All crested penguins breed on bare, noisy slopes. Reality: Fiordland birds often nest in dark, wet, sheltered places where secrecy matters more than spectacle.
What threatens Fiordland Penguins?
The main pressures include introduced predators, disturbance in accessible breeding areas, and marine food variability. Natural predators include Dogs and stoats near nests, Fur seals, and Gulls.
What is one surprising fact about Fiordland Penguins?
One of the few penguin species that nests in dense rainforest
Written for the Survival Lab series on Penguin Place
Penguin Place is written like a natural-history notebook, not a content mill. The job is to explain what each penguin is up against, what makes it strange, and where the evidence still runs thin.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name
- Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
- Height
- 51–71 cm
- Weight
- 2.7–5.9 kg
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
- Status
- Vulnerable
- Population
- ~6,250 mature individuals
- Genus
- Eudyptes
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How we source claims
We start with conservation assessments, research institutions, and field guides that have to survive real scrutiny. Then we write only what still sounds true after the comparison.
- Use IUCN, BirdLife, museums, aquariums, conservation groups, and research institutions before broad explainers.
- Lead with a survival problem, not a keyword bucket.
- Say when the science is uncertain instead of sanding every gap into fake certainty.
Further reading
This profile was reviewed on January 17, 2026 using the sources listed below.
- IUCN Red List - Global conservation assessments and extinction-risk categories.
- BirdLife Data Zone - Species accounts, distribution, and population summaries.
- New Zealand Department of Conservation Penguins Hub - New Zealand penguin species, threats, and habitat guidance.
- Penguins International - Species explainers and conservation context focused on penguins.
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