Fiordland Penguin

Eudyptes pachyrhynchus

Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) — Penguins of Australia & Oceania.

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Found across 7 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Australia Birds of New Zealand Birds of New South Wales Birds of South Australia Birds of Tasmania Birds of Victoria Birds of Western Australia

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The Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) is a member of the Spheniscidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 3.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

NT Near Threatened

Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Sphenisciformes
Family Spheniscidae Penguins
Genus Eudyptes
Species pachyrhynchus

Where it lives

Southwestern South, western, southern Stewart, and satellites (New Zealand)

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 3.9 kg
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Spheniscidae
Order: Sphenisciformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Vulnerable

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Fiordland Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Fiordland Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) is a member of the Spheniscidae family, within the order Sphenisciformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU sw South, w, s Stewart, and satellites (New Zealand).

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 3.9 kg, with a wing length of about 15.5 cm and a tail of around 9.1 cm.

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 26 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Fiordland Penguin?

The Fiordland Penguin is a very large bird that weighs around 3.9 kg.

Where does the Fiordland Penguin live?

The Fiordland Penguin is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU sw South, w, s Stewart, and satellites (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Fiordland Penguin belong to?

The Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) belongs to the Spheniscidae family, in the order Sphenisciformes.

What does the Fiordland Penguin eat?

The Fiordland Penguin hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Fiordland Penguin migrate?

The Fiordland Penguin is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Fiordland Penguin endangered?

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

How large is the Fiordland Penguin's range?

The Fiordland Penguin has a mapped global range of about 26 km².