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:

 

Yellow-eyed Penguin

Scientific Name: Megadyptes antipodes

Population Estimate: 4,800 individuals, Endangered status

Range / Habitat: Endemic to New Zealand where found on the rocky southeastern coast of the South Island, Stewart Island, and Auckland Island.

Field Notes: Medium-sized penguin, unmistakable in range as above.

Personal Notes: Maori name Hoiho. We were privileged to first see these birds outside of Dunedin. We saw them on the same beach as sea lions, mostly ignoring one another. It was painful to watch them hop up steep hills and rocks to their nests. We later got a local tip on where to see them on the Catlins coast, which required a climb down essentially a cliff, but well worth the effort.