How does the Yellow-eyed Penguin's colonial structure contrast with King Penguins?
Answer
Solitary nesting behavior with large defended territories
The Yellow-Eyed Penguin exhibits a nesting structure that is fundamentally different from highly colonial species. Unlike the high-density, competitive breeding grounds characteristic of birds like the King Penguins, *Hoiho* prefer solitary nesting. A pair will establish and vigorously defend a relatively large territory around their ground platform nest, maintaining considerable distance from neighboring pairs. This isolation contrasts sharply with colonial species and seems to suit their naturally shy demeanor, although it impacts their ability to use colonial defense mechanisms against aerial threats.
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