An adult Southern rockhopper penguin pair, Eudyptes chrysocome, at rookery on New Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

An adult Southern rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome, at rookery on New Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Southern rockhopper penguin group (Eudyptes chrysocome), Saunders Island, South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Southern rockhopper penguins, Eudyptes chrysocome, with photographer on Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Southern rockhopper penguins, Eudyptes chrysocome, at rookery on Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

An adult Southern rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome, at rookery on New Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Southern rockhopper penguin group (Eudyptes chrysocome), Saunders Island, South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), at breeding colony on West Point Island, Falklands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), at breeding colony on West Point Island, Falklands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), on Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) at breeding colony on Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South America

Couple of Southern Rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), New Island, Falkland Islands, British Overseas Territory, South America

Southern Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), New Island, Falkland Islands, British Overseas Territory, South America

Calling Southern Rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), New Island, Falkland Islands, British Overseas Territory, South America

Southern Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), New Island, Falkland Islands, British Overseas Territory, South America

Southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), jumping in huge waves to sea on New Island, Falklands, South America

Southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), jumping in huge waves to sea on New Island, Falklands, South America

Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), adult with chick on New Island, Falklands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), head detail on Saunders Island, Falklands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), at breeding colony on West Point Island, Falklands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island, Falklands, UK Overseas Protectorate, Polar Regions

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome), head detail on Saunders Island, Falklands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), head detail, in Franklin Bay, Isla Estado, Argentina, South America

Southern Rockhopper penguin rookery (Eudyptes chrysocome), New Island, Falkland Islands, British Overseas Territory, South America

Southern rockhopper penguin breeding colony (Eudyptes chrysocome), on Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult southern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) on New Island, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands. This is the smallest yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin in the genus Eudyptes. It reaches a length of 45-58 cm (18-23 in) and typically weighs 2-3.4 kg (4.4-7.5 lb), although there are records of exceptionally large rockhoppers weighing 5 kg (11 lbs). Their common name refers to the fact that unlike many other penguins which negotiate obstacles by sliding on their bellies or by awkward climbing using their flipper-like wings as aid, Rockhoppers will try to jump over boulders and across cracks. This behavior is by no means unique to this species however - at least the other "crested" penguins of the genus Eudyptes hop around rocks too. Southern Rockhopper Penguins have a global population of roughly 1 million pairs, perhaps a bit more. About two-thirds of the global population belongs to E. c. chrysocome which breeds on the Falkland Islands and on islands off Argentina and southern Chile. The Southern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as Vulnerable species by the IUCN.

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Rockhopper Penguin. Falkland Islands, Southern Ocean.

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, Great Britain, South America. Photo: Matthias Graben, South America

Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), with young, West Point, Falkland Islands, South America

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), adult, diving, captive

Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), West Point, Falkland Islands, South America

Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), West Point, Falkland Islands, South America

Southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), hopping over rocks, West Point, Falkland Islands, South America

Coming ashore and climbing a steep cliff on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore at a rocky coastline on Saunders Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in colony of Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) on the Falkland Islands, Bleaker Island. Macaroni Penguins are rare visitors on the Falkland Islands. South America, Subantarctica, Falkland Islands

Coming ashore and climbing a steep cliff on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore at a rocky coastline on Saunders Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Jumping into the sea from a steep cliff on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Chick in colony on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Chick with adult on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore and climbing a steep cliff on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Climbing through a steep and rocky cliff Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore on Saunders Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Climbing through a steep and rocky cliff Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore on Saunders Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Chick with adult on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Climbing through a steep and rocky cliff Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Chick in colony on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore and climbing a steep cliff on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Coming ashore and climbing a steep cliff on Bleaker Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Mating. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Going to sea at a rocky coastline on Saunders Island. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January

Mating. Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), subspecies Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome). South America, Falkland Islands, January