13 September, 2009

Little Blue Penguin

Scientific Name: Eudyptula minor

Population Estimate: Unknown but of least concern regarding conservation

Range / Habitat: found on the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand, with possible records from Chile.

Field Notes: The blue penguin stands just 25 cm tall and weighs a little over 1 kilogram. The plumage is slate-blue with a bright white belly. Juveniles are indistinguishable from adults. Both sexes are alike, although the male is a little heavier and usually has a larger bill. There are several distinct races of blue penguins and some argue that they should be split up into sub-species. Perhaps the most distinct is the "white-flippered" penguin of Canterbury, however genetic tests have shown it not to be as distinct as its plumage would suggest.

Personal Notes:
 

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