Little Penguin

Eudyptula minor

Found waddling on beaches across southern Australia and New Zealand, this smallest of all penguins stands just 30 cm tall.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

30cm to 40cm

Wingspan

43cm to 55cm

Weight

1000g to 1.2kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Pink Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Little Penguin can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Little Penguin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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