Little Penguin
Little Penguin (<em>Eudyptula minor</em>) is a species of Penguins (<em>Spheniscidae</em>) in the order Penguins.
Overview
Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) is a species of Penguins (Spheniscidae) in the order Penguins. The smallest penguin in the world, slate-blue above and white below; comes ashore at dusk in family groups, a famous nightly parade in Australia and New Zealand; nests in burrows.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Eudyptula; binomial: Eudyptula minor; authority: (Forster, JR, 1781). Typical size: 30-35cm. Average lifespan: 6-15 years.
Distribution
Breeding range: Australasia.
Conservation Status
This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.
Remarks
See Peucker et al. (2009) for analysis of population structure, including deep division into two mtDNA lineages, but split of White-flippered Penguin not yet warranted (NZ Checklist 4e).
