Hobbies And Interests

Blue Penguin Facts

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.
  1. 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.


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