New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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Survival and breeding of yellow-eyed penguins (Megadyptes antipodes), at two locations on Otago Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand, 1991-96

Hiltrun Ratz

Penguin Place
Harington Point Rd
RD 2
Dunedin, New Zealand
email: penguins@xtra.co.nz

John T. Darby

Department of Zoology
University of Otago
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin, New Zealand
email: john.darby@clear.net.nz

Kerri-Anne Edge

Department of Conservation
Te Anau, New Zealand
email: kaedge@xtra.co.nz

Caryn Thompson

Department of Computer Science and Applied Statistics
University of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 5050
Saint John, New Brunswick
Canada E2L 4L5
email: cthompso@unbsj.ca

Abstract   Two breeding locations of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes), were monitored for six seasons between 1991 and 1996 to assess breeding success, breeding frequency, and survival parameters. Breeding success was inversely related to the total number of nests, suggesting that an influx of inexperienced breeders decreases the average breeding success. The proportions of males not breeding at either location in a season ranged from 0 to 13%, and 0 and 23% for females. Between 75 and 92% of breeders were recorded breeding in two consecutive seasons, while between 0 and 6% of breeders skipped one season and 9% of females (but no males) skipped two consecutive seasons. Annual survival averaged 90% for both breeding locations for four seasons (males 93%, females 90%).

Keywords  yellow-eyed penguin; life history parameters; breeding success; breeding frequency; skipping breeding seasons; annual survival

Z03028; Received 6 June 2003; accepted 30 January 2004; Online publication date 12 May 2004
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2004, Vol. 31: 133-147
0301-4223/04/3102-0133 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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