novaehollandiae

Eudyptula novaehollandiae, commonly known as the Australian little penguin, blue penguin, or fairy penguin, is the smallest penguin species. It is native to the southern coast of Australia, including Tasmania, where it forms colonies along mainland shores and on offshore islands.

Adults are compact and typically small, with dark upperparts and a white belly. Juveniles are brownish and gradually molt into the adult plumage over time. The species is adapted to a coastal life, often foraging at sea and returning to land to rest or breed.

Foraging behavior centers on small schooling fish, crustaceans, and squid. They usually dive from the surface and can feed close to shore, employing shallow dives to catch prey. The birds spend a significant portion of their lives at sea, returning to land primarily to breed and molt.

Breeding occurs in colonies on coastal banks, islands, and sheltered shores. They typically nest in burrows, hollows, or beneath vegetation and man-made structures. Clutches usually consist of two eggs, and both parents participate in incubation and chick-rearing. Chicks are fed by both parents until they fledge and become independent.

Conservation and management vary by region. The species faces threats from introduced predators such as foxes and cats, habitat disturbance, oil spills, entanglement in fishing gear, and shifts in prey availability related to environmental changes. Protective legislation and targeted predator control, along with monitoring of breeding colonies, are common conservation approaches. Ongoing research helps inform regional management to support population stability and recovery where declines occur.