Birds
Northern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes moseleyi · also called northern rockhopper
Recognised as its own species only in 2006, a northern rockhopper penguin has since lost more than 90% of its population on some breeding islands, making it one of the fastest-declining penguins on Earth despite still breeding by the tens of thousands.
Overview
The northern rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes moseleyi, is an Endangered seabird native to ocean and coastal habitat across remote islands of the South Atlantic and southern Indian Ocean. Its recent recognition as a distinct species, steep population decline, and remote island breeding range make it one of the more urgently conservation-relevant penguin species found anywhere in the world.
A species recognised too late to prevent its decline
By the time researchers formally confirmed the northern rockhopper penguin as genetically and physically distinct from its southern relative in 2006, its populations had already been collapsing for decades, leaving conservationists racing to understand a crisis already well underway.
Status
Endangered, with populations declining severely across most breeding islands due to changing ocean conditions, fishing pressure on prey species, and occasional oil spills near key colonies.
Northern Rockhopper Penguin: common questions
How is the northern rockhopper penguin different from the southern rockhopper penguin?
This species has noticeably longer and denser crest plumes than the southern rockhopper penguin, and the two were only recognised as separate species in 2006 after genetic and physical differences were confirmed by researchers.
Why has the northern rockhopper penguin declined so steeply?
This species has lost more than 90% of its population on some breeding islands over recent decades, a decline linked to changing ocean conditions, fishing pressure on its prey, and occasional oil spills near key colonies.
Where does the northern rockhopper penguin breed?
This species breeds mainly on Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, and the Amsterdam and Saint Paul islands, remote and difficult-to-access locations spread across the South Atlantic and southern Indian Ocean.
Why is it called a rockhopper penguin?
This species climbs steep sea cliffs to reach its nesting colonies by hopping upward with both feet held together, rather than walking, the same distinctive climbing style shared by all rockhopper penguin species.