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Story: Penguins

Erect-crested penguin eggs

Erect-crested penguin eggs

Erect-crested penguins lay two eggs each year, the second egg being 85% heavier than the first. However, they only ever rear one chick. Almost always the chick hatches from the second egg. This phenomenon is a trait of all crested penguins.

About this item

New Zealand Penguins
Photograph by Dave Houston

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How to cite this page:

Lloyd Spencer Davis. 'Penguins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/penguins/7/2/2