and moult. Burrows also provide protection Breeding season is usually between August from predators and extreme heat. While on to February where females lay two eggs, land little penguins remain inside their burrows each weighing 55g, which are the size, shape during the day to avoid predators. and colour of a chicken’s egg.

Diet Threats Adult little penguins from Phillip Island can Human impacts such as introduced predators, spend over 4 weeks out at sea fishing in over exploitation of marine ecosystems, oil the Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay. They spills, marine pollution and climate change can prey on young barracouta, anchovies, red threaten little penguins and their ecosystems. cod, warehou and pilchards. They also eat The more we know about little penguins, the interesting things like squid and even sea more we can do to protect them. jellies. When chasing prey they can flap their flippers up to five times per second Island Ark Little to increase speed, catching about 25% of their body weight in food daily! During Phillip Island is fox-free which provides a breeding season, little penguins are what the haven safe from introduced predators for Penguin scientists call ‘central place feeders’. This Little Penguins to breed, but they remain means once the little penguins have finished vulnerable to human activities such as (Eudyptula minor) hunting for food, they return to their burrow habitat disturbance, artificial light at night, on land, a central place to feed their chicks marine debris, overfishing, plastic pollution and feral cats. Before coming to land, little penguins gather offshore in groups called ‘rafts’. They wait for Securing a brighter future Species Profile colony taking care of their delicate plumage dusk before crossing the beach, to hide from and raising chicks, but in the water they are predators such as birds of prey like pacific Phillip Island Nature Parks provides a Animalia - Aves masterful swimmers using their well-adapted gulls and sea eagles. They waddle across the sanctuary for Little Penguins. Nature Parks WEIGHT: 1000g wings as flippers to ‘fly’ through the ocean shore in groups and follow familiar tracks rangers protect them through predator foraging for food. Little penguins can dive back to their burrow. Along the way, they control programs, habitat management, SIZE: 33cm 200 – 1300 times per day, with an average look for landmarks or listen to a partner education, regular beach cleans to remove calling to help them find their way home. LIFESPAN: 7 years. depth ranging from 10m – 30m, and can plastic debris from local beaches, and swim on average 2-4km per hour. rehabilitation. Scientific research and other CONSERVATION STATUS: Population stable conservation activities are also conducted to Adult little penguins are the only penguins Breeding better understand the implications of local in the world with blue and white feathers Little penguins spend approximately 80% and global threats to Little Penguins in order to Little Penguins instead of black and white feathers. They of their lives in the ocean, coming ashore protect them today and into the future. Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) are the are ‘countershaded’, the dark blue back only when it is necessary to maintain their smallest of all penguin species. They stand of penguins blends in with the water to burrows, breed and raise young, as well as Little Penguin guardians contribute to securing approximately 33cm tall and weigh around camouflage against any predators flying or moult their old feathers. Male penguins are a brighter future for this protected species by one kilogram, with males weighing slightly swimming overhead, and the light stomach slightly heavier and have a bigger beak with a supporting scientific research and conservation more than females. Little Penguins breed blends in with the sky to camouflage against more defined hook than females. Both male efforts to protect Phillip Island’s wildlife. in colonies along the southern coastlines any predators swimming underneath. and female penguins will build and maintain of Australia and New Zealand, with Phillip their burrow, lining it with vegetation. Island in Victoria home to an estimated Most penguins renew the pair bond each 32,000 breeding adults. Habitat On land Little Penguins live in holes in the season, although research shows they have a Little Penguins are seabirds but they can’t fly. ground known as burrows. These burrows divorce rate of 18% to almost 50% in some On land they waddle and tumble about the provide a place for Little Penguins to rest, nest years if breeding has been unsuccessful. penguinfoundation.org.au