Little Penguin

Eudyptula minor

Also known as: Blue Penguin, Fairy Penguin, Korora, Little Blue Penguin

About This Species

This is the smallest penguin species, nesting in burrows along the coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand and coming ashore almost exclusively after dusk, when colonies can become active with birds returning from a day's fishing at sea. Organized evening viewing at established colonies, such as those with boardwalks and low lighting, offers the most reliable and least disruptive views. Daytime sightings are uncommon since birds are typically out foraging.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

Only view from designated paths, hides, or organized tours at managed colonies, and avoid using white light or flash, since bright light can disorient birds returning to burrows after dark and delay them reaching chicks.
Little Penguins and their colonies are protected under Australian and New Zealand wildlife law, with many breeding sites additionally protected as reserves with specific access rules.
Never approach or handle a bird on a beach or track, and keep dogs away entirely, since ground predators are a major cause of colony decline.

LCAvesSphenisciformesSpheniscidae

Seasonal Activity

522,824 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae

Photo

CC-BY-NC-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.