| Common name | Little penguin |
| Scientific name | Eudyptula minor |
| Type | Aves (birds) |
| Diet | Small fish, krill, squid |
| Average lifespan | 6–7 years |
| Size | Up to 33cm tall, 1–1.2kg |
If you like big charm in a tiny package, meet the little penguin (Eudyptula minor), also known as the fairy penguin or djinan yawa-dji goyeep in the Boonwurrung language of southern Victoria.
Found along the southern coastlines of Australia and New Zealand, these seabirds are compact coastal specialists – and crowd favourites at dusk-time beach landings on Phillip Island, south of Melbourne, home of the largest little penguin colony in the world.
Little penguins are slate-blue above and white below, with pinkish feet and a short black bill. Males tend to be slightly bigger with a deeper bill.
Unlike Antarctic species, these penguins live in temperate zones, coming ashore to breed and rest, and spending their days foraging at sea.
Habitat
Coastal areas, offshore islands, dunes and rocky shores.
Distribution
Historically widespread along southern mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Still present in many areas, but with some local extinctions.
Reproduction
Breeding begins in spring or early summer. Penguins form monogamous pairs, often returning to the same nest burrow each year. Two eggs are laid and incubated by both parents over about 35 days. Chicks fledge after 7–9 weeks, growing rapidly thanks to frequent foraging trips by both adults.
Conservation status
The little penguin is currently listed as Least Concern globally, and is not listed as threatened under Australia’s EPBC Act – as at June 2025. Still, many local colonies are vulnerable or declining due to various pressures. For example, Sydney’s local population now survives only at Manly under intense protection.
Threats
Introduced predators (foxes, cats, dogs), human disturbance, habitat destruction, plastic pollution, fishing by-catch and oil spills are all threats to the little penguin. On land, boardwalks and restricted zones help prevent trampling and burrow collapse.
Fascinating facts
Despite their size, little penguins can travel more than 20km offshore and dive to a depth of 60m in search of food. At night, their braying calls echo from burrows as they reunite with partners and chicks.
