Eudyptes robustus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	SPHENISCIFORMES	SPHENISCIDAE

Scientific Name:

Eudyptes robustus

Species Authority:

Oliver, 1953

Common Name/s:

English

–

Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Islands Penguin, Snares Penguin

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Bell, B., Weeber, B., McClelland, P.

Justification:
This species is classified as Vulnerable because it is restricted to one extremely small island group and hence is susceptible to stochastic events and human activities. Population trends are not clear, but if it is shown to be undergoing any decline, as is happening in some congeners, the species should be uplisted to Critically Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2005	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Eudyptes robustus breeds in the Snares Islands (3 km²), New Zealand. The population was estimated at 23,250 breeding pairs in 1985-1986; 19,000 on North-East Island, 3,500 on Broughton and 750 on the Western Chain islets. In 2002, 25,861 pairs were counted on North-East Island and 4,000 on Broughton⁸. This indicates that the population is perhaps increasing. However, a more recent estimate in 2008 placed the population at 26,000 breeding pairs. This may represent a population decline, although in the absence of any major threat it may represent a natural fluctuation⁹. Its wintering range is largely unknown, although occasional records from the waters off Tasmania and South Australia suggest a movement towards Australia⁴.
Countries:	Native: New Zealand; United States; United States Vagrant: Argentina; Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Present - origin uncertain: Australia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The October 2002 joint Department of Conservation and Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust census produced counts of 25,861 pairs on North-East Island and 4,000 on Broughton (M. Szabo in litt. 2004).
Population Trend:	Stable

Population:

The October 2002 joint Department of Conservation and Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust census produced counts of 25,861 pairs on North-East Island and 4,000 on Broughton (M. Szabo in litt. 2004).

Population Trend:

Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It nests in dense colonies, usually between 50-200 pairs, mostly under the forest on North-East Island, otherwise in the open⁵. It feeds mainly on krill, supplemented by squid and small fish. It may first breed at four years of age and the oldest known bird lived to 20 years³. The yellow crest of the species may serve as a condition-dependent indicator to conspecifics, thus potentially a signal of social status or attractiveness¹⁰.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

It nests in dense colonies, usually between 50-200 pairs, mostly under the forest on North-East Island, otherwise in the open⁵. It feeds mainly on krill, supplemented by squid and small fish. It may first breed at four years of age and the oldest known bird lived to 20 years³. The yellow crest of the species may serve as a condition-dependent indicator to conspecifics, thus potentially a signal of social status or attractiveness¹⁰.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no introduced predators on the Snares Islands and consequently the possibility of the accidental introduction of mammals is a continual concern¹. The Snares Islands are the site of a large squid fishery, which may be in competition with the species². Other Eudyptes species in the region are presently undergoing major declines (E. sclateri, E. chrysocome), perhaps due to oceanic warming and the associated change in distribution of prey species².

Major Threat(s):

There are no introduced predators on the Snares Islands and consequently the possibility of the accidental introduction of mammals is a continual concern¹. The Snares Islands are the site of a large squid fishery, which may be in competition with the species². Other Eudyptes species in the region are presently undergoing major declines (E. sclateri, E. chrysocome), perhaps due to oceanic warming and the associated change in distribution of prey species².

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The islands are nature reserves and part of a World Heritage Site declared in 1998. Landing is by permit only⁴. Conservation Actions Proposed Census all breeding colonies during incubation period. Complete regular counts every 10 years to monitor trends in the population⁶. Turn World Heritage Site territorial seas (out to 12 nautical miles) into a marine reserve and restrict all fishing⁷.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The islands are nature reserves and part of a World Heritage Site declared in 1998. Landing is by permit only⁴.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Census all breeding colonies during incubation period. Complete regular counts every 10 years to monitor trends in the population⁶. Turn World Heritage Site territorial seas (out to 12 nautical miles) into a marine reserve and restrict all fishing⁷.

Bibliography [top]

	Ellis, S.; Croxall, J. P.; Cooper, J. 1998. Penguin conservation assessment and management plan: report from the workshop held 8-9 September 1996, Cape Town, South Africa. IUCN/SSC, Apple Valley, USA. Heather, B. D.; Robertson, H. A. 1997. The field guide to the birds of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Marchant, S.; Higgins, P. J. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, 1: ratites to ducks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. McGraw, K. J.; Massaro, M.; Rivers, T. J.; Mattern, T. 2009. Annual, sexual, size- and condition-related variation in the colour and fluorescent pigment content of yellow crest-feathers in Snares Penguins (Eudyptes robustus). Emu 109(2): 93-99. Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

Ellis, S.; Croxall, J. P.; Cooper, J. 1998. Penguin conservation assessment and management plan: report from the workshop held 8-9 September 1996, Cape Town, South Africa. IUCN/SSC, Apple Valley, USA.

Heather, B. D.; Robertson, H. A. 1997. The field guide to the birds of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Marchant, S.; Higgins, P. J. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, 1: ratites to ducks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

McGraw, K. J.; Massaro, M.; Rivers, T. J.; Mattern, T. 2009. Annual, sexual, size- and condition-related variation in the colour and fluorescent pigment content of yellow crest-feathers in Snares Penguins (Eudyptes robustus). Emu 109(2): 93-99.

Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Eudyptes robustus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2012.
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