First record of hybridisation between Northern Eudyptes moseleyi and Southern Rockhopper Penguins E.c.chrysocome

Abstract

A Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes moseleyi, typically a vagrant species to the Falkland Islands, spent six consecutive breeding seasons (2009-14) at a Southern Rockhopper Penguin E. c. chrysocome colony on East Falkland. During November 2014 it paired with a Southern Rockhopper Penguin and produced a hybrid chick. Although the chick did not survive, an increase in sightings of Northern Rockhopper Penguins at the Falklands suggests that further hybridisation between the two species is likely.