Erect-crested Penguin, Pitt Island

[Michael Szabo]

Moulting penguin reported via Facebook today ashore at Pitt Island by Flowerpot Lodge.

[Colin Miskelly]

It is an immature erect-crested penguin - the species of crested penguin most frequently recorded moulting on the Chatham Islands (likely several birds per annum).

Ngā mihi
Colin

[David Riddell]

Went out with Brent from Flowerpot Bay Lodge today to see this bird and sadly found it had died. It was at the south end of Waihere Bay in a very exposed spot facing west, looking out on to Mangere Island. What little wind we had yesterday was from the east and it was quite sunny, and even though it was only about 14 degrees that's probably quite warm for an erect-crested. So possibly it got heat stressed, it didn't appear emaciated at all.

[Michael Szabo]

Given there are feral cats on Pitt Island could you see any bite marks?

[David Riddell]

Nothing obvious. And no tracks in the sand. We were told there are very few cats on the island at the moment. I was a bit worried about bird flu so didn't want to handle it.