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| Rockhopper penguins stand about
30cm tall and are the third smallest of all penguins. They are distinguished
by yellow-feathered eyebrows and vivid red eyes. They are agile climbers
and can scale cliffs quite quickly by hopping along with their feet
together and clinging with strong sharp toenails. |
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Yeah, we know we you are there, but don't care
New Island, Falkland Islands
The Rockhopper penguin arrives back at its original breeding ground
about late October to lay a couple of eggs. The surviving egg will
usually result in a chick by mid-December with the chicks mature
enough to go to sea in February or March.
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Not interested...
New Island, Falkland Islands
Rockhopper penguins prefer rocky areas to flat sandy beaches. This
colony of Rockhopper penguins was located about 60m above sea level.
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Aw, shucks!
New Island, Falkland Islands
Despite their small size, Rockhopper penguins will attack when
they feel threatened. However, although penguins don't move much
when molting, the Rockhopper seems to move even less. This leaves
them with few opportunities to entertain themselves, so they just
fall asleep.
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Peek-a-boo!
New Island, Falkland Islands
A mature chick bobs and weaves amongst the rocks and its statue-like
adult counterparts. A few chicks nosed around - curious about our
presence, but not at all impressed by the intrusion!
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Up close and personal
New Island, Falkland Islands
The Rockhopper Penguins promise a feisty performance with vivid
red eyes framed by angled yellow feather eyebrows. This late in
the season (early March), the mature chicks were a shining black
and white colour in stark contrast to the molting feathers and down
of the adult Rockhopper penguins.
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