Little Penguin Bird Facts (Eudyptula minor)

Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species, with distinctive blue and white plumage. Their upperparts are slate-blue to indigo-blue, while their underparts are white. They have a short, dark bill and pink feet with black soles.

Both sexes look similar, with juveniles having a lighter blue colouration. Their feathers may appear brown during moulting before the new blue feathers grow in.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Little Penguin can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Little Penguins inhabit coastal areas of southern Australia, including Tasmania, and New Zealand. They prefer rocky shores, islands, and beaches with suitable vegetation for nesting.

While they are present year-round in their range, some populations may disperse more widely outside the breeding season. In Australia, significant colonies can be found in Victoria and South Australia.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Little Penguin. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Australia New Zealand

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Chile

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Whilst clumsy on land, Little Penguins are remarkably agile swimmers, capable of 'flying' underwater at speeds up to 6 km/h and executing precise movements to catch swift-moving prey. Their underwater manoeuvrability and diving capabilities (up to 20m deep) demonstrate exceptional aquatic agility.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

For their small size (30-40cm), Little Penguins exhibit moderate strength, enabling them to catch fish and swim effectively. However, as the smallest penguin species weighing only 1-1.2kg, their absolute strength is limited compared to larger seabirds.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These penguins show strong adaptability through their ability to nest in various coastal environments (burrows, rock crevices, or vegetation), successful breeding in both natural and monitored colonies, and capacity to adjust foraging patterns based on food availability and breeding demands.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Little Penguins display relatively low aggression levels, typically being social birds that forage in groups and live colonially. Whilst they may defend their nests and exhibit territorial behaviour during breeding season, they're not notably aggressive compared to other seabirds.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Their endurance is evidenced by their ability to conduct extended foraging trips up to 20km from shore, spending hours swimming and diving for food. They maintain these energy-intensive activities throughout the breeding season whilst caring for chicks, demonstrating solid stamina for their size.

Little Penguins primarily feed on small schooling fish such as anchovies, sardines, and squid. They are pursuit divers, catching prey by swimming at high speeds underwater. Their foraging trips can last several hours and extend up to 20 km from the shore during breeding season.

Little Penguins are excellent swimmers, using their flippers to 'fly' underwater at speeds up to 6 km/h. They are social birds, often foraging in small groups during the day and returning to their colonies at dusk in what's known as a 'penguin parade'. On land, they waddle with an upright posture and can be quite vocal in their colonies.

Little Penguins are quite vocal, especially in their breeding colonies. Their calls include a high-pitched trumpeting sound often described as a 'braying' call, similar to a donkey's.

They also make softer contact calls, described as 'grunts' or 'growls', when interacting with mates or chicks.

Little Penguins typically form monogamous pairs and breed annually. The breeding season varies by location but generally occurs between August and February.

Nests are built in burrows, rock crevices, or under dense vegetation, often lined with grass and feathers. Females lay two eggs, which are pale white and slightly pointed at one end.

Both parents share incubation duties for about 35 days. Both parents feed chicks and fledge after 7-9 weeks, becoming independent at about 10-11 weeks old.

The Little Penguin typically lives for 6 to 7 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 42.2 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While listed as Least Concern globally, Little Penguins face localised threats from habitat loss, introduced predators, and climate change impacts on their food supply.

Conservation efforts include predator control, habitat protection, and the establishment of monitored breeding colonies in some areas.

Visit coastal areas in southern Australia or New Zealand at dusk to observe their return from the sea
Look for their distinctive blue colouration and small size compared to other penguins
Listen for their high-pitched vocalisations in breeding colonies
Respect viewing guidelines and maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing the birds

Main predators include introduced species such as foxes and cats on land, and seals, sharks, and large fish in the water.

Little Penguins are the only penguin species that breed in Australia.
They can dive up to 20 meters deep when foraging for food.
Some Little Penguin colonies have become popular tourist attractions, contributing to local economies.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Little Penguin

References