Photo: Cute Penguin Picture Catlins Forest South Island NZ

A cute Yellow Eyed Penguin walks along the rocks in the Catlins Forest at the Petrified Forest, located in Porpoise Bay and Curio Bay in Otago, on the South Island of New Zealand. These penguins are a native species there.

This species is not only native to New Zealand, but it also breeds mostly around the South Island of the country. The Catlins is a popular tourist destination and is a place that these cute animals call home in their native habitat.

This penguin is quite large compared to other families, as it can grow to about 30 inches high and can weigh about 14 pounds. It is easily characterized by its pink feet, pink beak, its pale yellow head, and of course, yellow eye and the band of yellow which circles their head. Some penguins, if they are not killed by humans or predators, can live up to 20 years of age, which is really old for a penguin.

These animals build their nests along the shore, usually in forests or scrubs, and this penguin in the photograph is most likley on its way to its nest. ... continue below the picture...

... This is an endangered species, so they are protected, and there is only about 4,000 of them left in the world. As they are so unusual due to their yellow eye, that they are one of the world's rarest penguin species. They are at risk due to environmental changes in their habitat, and loss of habitat due to human development.

Cute Yellow Eyed Penguin, Megadyptes antipodes in the Catlins Forest at the Petrified Forest at Porpoise Bay and Curio Bay, Otago, South Island, New Zealand.