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

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%).