Yellow-eyed+Penguin

== =**__YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN__**= =//(Megadyptes Antipodes)//=

Contributed by Bayley11

__//DESCRIPTION://__
Rarest of all the penguins, the Yellow-eyed penguin inhabits coastal forests of New Zealand and neighboring southern islands. Unique in appearance and behavior, these solitary birds have experienced population declines in the last 50 years due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species. http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/penguins/yellow_eyed.shtml

//__SIZE:__//
The Yellow-eyed Penguin is 24 inches tall and it ways 13 pounds. http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/penguins/yellow_eyed.shtml

__//DIET://__
These penguins eat fish and squid as their diet. http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/penguins/yellow_eyed.shtml

//__POPULATION:__//
They're population is 2,000 pairs of Yellow-Eyed Penguins. http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/penguins/yellow_eyed.shtml

//__LIFESPAN:__//
It is a long-lived bird, with some individuals living for 20 years. http://www.wlug.org.nz/YellowEyedPenguin

//__HABITAT:__//
Yellow-eyed penguins breed in forest or scrubland, choosing to build nests against rocks or tree trunks, which provide some protection from the elements. http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Megadyptes_antipodes/more_info.html#Habit

__//RANGE://__
Endemic to New Zealand, breeding takes place on the southeast coast of South Island and on Foveaus Strait, Stewart, Auckland and Campbell Islands. http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Megadyptes_antipodes/more_info.html#Habit ==

http://www.penguin.net.nz/species/yep/index.html

//__OFFSPRING:__//
After the chicks are six weeks old, both parents will hunt for food in the ocean, leaving the chicks on their own. Chicks usually leave the nest in mid-February. Megadyptes antipodes reaches sexual maturity at two or three for females and three to five for males. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Megadyptes_antipodes.html

Behavior:
Contrary to other penguin species, M. antipodes is not a colonially nesting species. Pairs usually seek privacy for their nests. It does not socialize very much with other penguins. The only social times are during mating rituals and after molting. During mating periods, M. antipodes groups with other individuals and looks for a mate. Calls and certain body language show whether mates are interested. In the weeks after molting, M. antipodes returns to the sea in one of the most social times of the year. During molting Individuals can lose up to eight pounds. All individuals then return to the sea to gain back this weight. While there, it feeds and preens the new feathers. It avoids confrontations by turning its back and preening. Individuals usually hunt alone or in groups of two or three. It is a strong swimmer and can outswim most predators in the sea.

> **Step: 2** > bag filled with ice on the empty plastic bag. >
 * **What you will need:**
 * 3 zip-lock plastic bags-sandwich size
 * ice cubes
 * another person to help
 * **Step: 1**
 * Take one bag and zip it most of the way. Blow air into it to partly fill it up. Zip it up.
 * Fill one bag with ice cubes. Zip it up.
 * Leave one bag flat and closed.
 * Leave one bag flat and closed.
 * Place both of your hands, side by side, palm sides up.
 * Have someone lay the flat, empty plastic bag on your hands, then lay the plastic
 * Leave this on for about 1 minute.
 * What do you feel?
 * **Step: 3**
 * Place both of your hands, side by side, palm sides up.
 * Have someone lay the plastic bag filled with air on your hands, then lay the plastic bag
 * with the ice on top of the bag.
 * Leave this on for about 1 minute.
 * What do you feel?
 * **Questions You Should Talk About**
 * 1) What happened when you laid the bag filled with ice on the empty plastic bag? How did your hands feel?
 * 2) What happened when you laid the bag filled with ice on the plastic bag filled with air? How did your hands feel?
 * 3) Why do you think your hands didn't get cold with the bag filled with air? How would this help penguins to keep warm?
 * 4) List other animals and how they have adapted to their unique environments.
 * 5) [|http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/penguins/activity1.html]
 * 1) [|http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/proj/penguins/activity1.html]