| †Eudyptes atatu Temporal range: Pliocene
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|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Sphenisciformes |
| Family: | Spheniscidae |
| Genus: | Eudyptes |
| Species: | †E. atatu
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| Binomial name | |
| †Eudyptes atatu Thomas et al, 2020
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Eudyptes atatu is an extinct species of crested penguin that lived during the Pliocene epoch around 3.2 million years ago. It is considered the first stem species of the crested penguin genus.[1] Eudyptes atatu is thought to have inhabited what is now New Zealand. The bird's existence has been cited as evidence supporting the idea that penguins originated in Zealandia before spreading across the Southern Hempishere.[2]
- ^ Thomas, Daniel; Tennyson, Alan; Scofield, R. Paul; Heath, Tracy; Pett, Walker; Ksepka, Daniel (12 August 2020). "Ancient crested penguin constrains timing of recruitment into seabird hotspot". Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 287 (1932). PMID 32781949. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Natali (18 August 2020). "Ancient Crested Penguin Unearthed in New Zealand". Sci News. Retrieved 12 October 2022.