Low Head Penguin Tour features the Little Penguin

Our Low Head Penguin Tour features the Little Penguin (formerly known as Fairy Penguin or Blue Penguin) – Eudyptula minor – and this name is most descriptive. Not only are these penguins the smallest of the species, but Eudyptula means ‘good little diver’.

Little Penguin

Researchers at the Phillip Island Nature Reserve followed the fate of one particular male penguin since 1994. On one foraging trip while gathering food for his growing chick, the penguin dove down to 57 metres - three metres deeper than the previous deepest dive of 54 metres.

Only 40cm tall and 1.1kg Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world. They are flightless seabirds who breed in colonies along the southern coast of Australia, as far north as Port Stephens in the east to Fremantle in the west. Subspecies are also found in New Zealand.

The Little Penguin’s streamlined shape and its efficient flippers enable it to seek prey in shallow short dives, typically between 10m and 30m. Its diet consists of small fish, some squid or krill (shrimp-like crustaceans) and occasionally crab larvae or sea horses from the sea floor.

Their dense waterproof plumage is dark blue on the upper parts of the body and white on the underside.

Little Penguins usually breed on offshore islands.

The world breeding population is thought to be between 350-600,000 birds, comprising 300-500 000 in Australia. However less than 5% of breeding pairs are found on mainland Tasmania, where ever-increasing human pressure will probably result in these colonies extinction. The largest populations are found on Tasmania's offshore islands.

Little Penguins live on average for 7 years, and some retain the same mate for life. Most Little Penguins do not breed until they are two or three years old. Breeding is roughly seasonal, peaking around spring: some pairs breed twice in one year.

A clutch of two white eggs is laid in spring. Male and female birds share the 36-day period of egg incubation. When the chicks hatch they are initially helpless and are brooded continuously for about 2-3 weeks. After this period both adults leave the chicks unguarded in the nest during the day, while they forage at sea to obtain food for the rapidly growing chicks. By 8 weeks of age the chicks have lost their down and acquired the waterproof plumage necessary for independent life at sea. These young birds are not seen again at their original colonies for at least a year and may disperse widely during this period.

Each evening as it gets dark, groups of Low Head penguins gather beyond the surf where they may be heard calling to each other. They surf in from their day at sea and walk up the beach to their burrows. In large colonies, hundreds of birds may come ashore in a brief time.

Low Head Little Penguins coming ashore

Some of the Low Head Penguins Penguins return to their burrows year round, but most stay at sea over autumn and winter.

Little penguins have a distinctive song, which moves from a bass rumble to a trumpeting cry, accompanied by flipper, beak and body movements. At night, and especially in the breeding season, the din of a penguin colony can be considerable.

Left to themselves, penguins will start to leave the water at last light so that they are under the cover of darkness. This helps to protect them from predators. At this time they are very vulnerable (they regard people as potential predators) and hence are wary. If they sense a threat or are disturbed by torchlight or loud noise they stay at sea longer. This is stressful for them and can interfere with breeding, or may prevent them reaching their hungry young in the burrow.

Penguins have excellent vision and easily spot movement, especially if they see you outlined against the sky. Don’t walk through the Low Head Penguin colony, as this damages the burrows. And it is best not to walk along the beach to your observation point, as this blocks the penguins’ access to their burrows.

Only dim torches emitting a red light (red cellophane over the lens is fine) should be used and then never directed toward the water or directly at the Low Head Penguins. Flash cameras should not be used on the beach. Video cameras, without spotlights, can be used and produce better results at dusk than conventional cameras.

Our tour takes us to the nesting site to watch these wonderful waddlers. Commentary on penguin behaviour is provided, as well as maritime and colonial history of the area.

Have a look at our holiday to Tasmania where we have a Low Head Penguin Tour with the Little Penguin.