From Opus

a.k.a. Fairy Penguin

Eudyptula minor

Photo by Corwin

[edit] Identification

40cm. Slaty-blue above and chin, throat and underparts white. Bill black, feet whitish with black soles.

[edit] Distribution

Australia and New Zealand.

[edit] Taxonomy

Subspecies: Two-five subspecies are recognised. Nominate race occurs on Stewart Island and much of South Island, New Zealand, variabilis (larger and paler with longer and stouter bill) in southern North Island and the Cook Strait islands, iredalei (dark and slender billed) in the north of North Island. Race chathamensis (dark with shorter, stouter bill) occurs on the Chatham Islands and novaehollandiae (closely resembling iredalei) is found in Australia. Some authors recognise only minor and novaehollandiae and include White-flippered Penguin E. albosignata.

[edit] Habitat

Hight water mark and inland

[edit] Behaviour

Nest are made in 1 metre long burrows and rock crevices lined with vegetation. 2 white eggs are laid and incubated by both sexes but mainly male for 39-40 days. Young tended by both sexes and fledge in about 56 days.

Diet: Small fish.

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID