At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Fiordland penguin (tawaki) is a crested penguin that, unusually, nests in dense coastal rainforest. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It comes ashore through temperate rainforest rather than on open beaches.
Range & habitat
Forested coasts of south-western New Zealand and nearby islands.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Introduced predators
- Disturbance
- Ocean change
Why it matters
A rare forest-nesting penguin found only in New Zealand, the Fiordland penguin is a flagship for protecting its coastal rainforest and surrounding seas.
Sources
Sources for Fiordland Penguin
- IUCN Red List — look up Fiordland Penguin (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it unusual for a penguin to nest in rainforest?
Most penguins nest on open ground or rock, but the Fiordland penguin breeds in dense, dripping temperate rainforest along New Zealand's south-west coast.
Why is the Fiordland penguin Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite introduced predators, disturbance, and ocean change. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: