The blue penguin, or fairy penguin, is the smallest of all penguins.
The blue penguin has several different names. Some call it the fairy penguin, while others call it the blue penguin or the little blue penguin. But they all describe the same animal: A small penguin found in Australia and New Zealand that has a blue tint to its fur. It still has the same tuxedo-clad appearance as all other penguins, but this variety is known for both its small size and unusual coloring.
Habitat of the Blue Penguin
The blue penguin, weighing no more than 2 lbs., lives across a wide range of southern Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and outlying islands. Their habitat range extends from near Perth, Australia, all across southern Australia to both South Island and North Island of New Zealand. The blue penguin tends to live on offshore islands and hunt in water less than 30 feet deep. At times, they will live on the mainland if they can find a protected environment, and they have even been found in some urban areas.
Types of Food
The blue penguin feeds on a variety of sea life. Small fish such as anchovies are a favorite, and they also eat squid, plankton and krill. Their diet also includes specimens from the seafloor, such as seahorses and shellfish larvae. The blue penguin stays close to the shore and will only dive as deep as 10 to 20 meters, staying underwater for a maximum of 25 seconds. They begin diving for food at dawn and return to their colonies at sundown.
Breeding and Parenting
The blue penguin tends to choose one partner and mate for life. Breeding takes place on offshore islands, and the penguins will return to the same location each year. Blue penguin colonies are known for being very noisy, and starting in June, males begin performing elaborate mating rituals. Each female lays two eggs, which incubate for about five weeks. Both male and female blue penguins share the duties in taking care of the eggs and the offspring.
Unusual Pigment
Blue penguins' feathers are indigo blue, which has prompted scientists to study the feathers' structure. The non-iridescent feathers are not designed like any other colored feather that has previously been studied. Most colored feathers have small holes to trap light, which then reflect light in the designated color range. Blue penguins have their beta-keratin protein laid out in lines of fibers, whose varying sizes reflect the light to form the color blue. Intrigued scientists are looking more closely at how and why these penguins have this unique feather structure.
Related posts
About Little Blue Fairy PenguinsRecognized as the smallest penguin species in the world, the Little Blue Fairy Penguin is also the most commonly found penguin in New Zealand. With their striking b...
Anyone familiar with the old song "Yankee Doodle" will realize that it has relevance when speaking about the macaroni penguin. This type of penguin takes its name from the old English ha...
Fairy penguins are also known as little bluesFairy penguins, as their name suggests, are the smallest of the penguins, making them particularly cute and appealing to kids. You can help your child...
With their bright blue feathers and their cheerful, melodious song, bluebirds are among the most distinctive and charming of all the songbirds. Unfortunately, their numbers have dwindled considera...
Immature penguins are usually colored and marked differently than adults.Penguins are flightless birds that are better adapted to water than land. The Antarctic emperor penguin is the largest of a...
