New Zealand Fairy Penguins
Having Eudyptula minor as its scientific name, it is known by the locals as the Little Blue Penguin or Kororā (in Māori). However, this penguin is better known to the world as the smallest penguin species in our universe.
The local term is quite self-explanatory: it stands only about 30-33 centimetres tall and weighs around 1 kilogram, with darkish blue coloured around its dorsal plumage and a white ventral side.
Its small body means it has a diet of much tinier animals, such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. It makes sense that they don’t need to dive into deep waters.
By gathering in groups, rafts (the term for a group of penguins) search for food in shallow water, usually about 9-10 metres. It makes them easy to spot.
However, with habitat loss and reduced food availability in the wild, they often have to dive deeper, up to 60 meters. And because Little Blue is a monogamous animal and has a tendency to stay in one nesting location, this causes its population to decline further.
That is why the government is implementing conservation efforts, one of which is limiting direct contact and encouraging supervised sightseeing.
Therefore, make sure you book an organised tour to see this cute blue one. In several hotspot areas such as Oamaru, Taiaroa Head, Akaroa, and other coastal areas surrounding the Otago Peninsula, there are many tour options available to help satisfy your curiosity.
So what are you waiting for? Book your session now and discover the richness of New Zealand’s biodiversity.