The little penguin (Eudyptula minor) is a bird of the penguin family, Spheniscidae, in the order Sphenisciformes.
Quick answer
The little penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the smallest penguin in the world, standing about 30 cm tall and weighing just over 1 kg. Known as the fairy penguin in Australia and kororā in New Zealand, it has slate-blue upperparts and white underparts. It is the only penguin that comes ashore only at night, returning to burrows after dusk. It is listed as Least Concern.
Top questions about the Little Penguin
Little Penguin facts at a glance
- Weight 1.1 kg
- Length 30 cm
- Lifespan 6 years
| Scientific name | Eudyptula minor |
|---|---|
| Other names | Fairy penguin, kororā, blue penguin |
| Diet | Small schooling fish, squid and krill |
| Habitat | Temperate coasts and offshore islands |
| Height | About 30 cm |
| Weight | 1.1–1.2 kg |
| Lifespan | Average 6 years; banded bird recorded at 25 years 8 months |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2020) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Sphenisciformes |
| Family | Spheniscidae |
| Genus | Eudyptula |
Where it lives
The little penguin (Eudyptula minor) is native to Coasts and islands of southern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands. — recorded across Oceania, Oceans in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a little penguin?
An adult little penguin measures 30 cm long — about 17% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 1.1 kg, about 2% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of little penguins called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Little Penguins is called a colony. It is also known as a raft.
Baby name
A baby Little Penguin is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Smallest of the penguins
Little penguins stand about 30 cm tall and weigh 1.1–1.2 kg. Their backs and flippers are a deep indigo-blue rather than black, and their throats and bellies are white. The eyes range from silver to blue, grey or hazel.
Night-time commuters
BirdLife describes the species as the only truly nocturnal penguin on land: adults go to sea before dawn and come ashore after dusk. They nest in burrows, rock crevices, under vegetation and sometimes under buildings, and gather in small groups called rafts at sea before landing.
Where they live
Little penguins breed along the southern coast of Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania, and around New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands. Colonies such as Phillip Island in Victoria are well-known places to watch them come ashore.
Status
BirdLife International lists the little penguin as Least Concern (2020), estimating about 470,000 mature birds and a stable trend overall. Some colonies have declined or vanished because of foxes, dogs and cats, traffic on coastal roads and disturbance.
Explore the Little Penguin
Close relatives
- Emperor Penguin Same family
- African Penguin Same family
- Gentoo Penguin Same family
- King Penguin Same family
Range & geography
Did you know? Little Penguin facts
- Little penguins are the only penguins with blue rather than black backs.
- A banded little penguin was found alive at 25 years and 8 months old.
Conservation status of the Little Penguin
The little penguin (Eudyptula minor) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2020. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Little Penguin
What is the smallest penguin?
The little penguin. It stands about 30 cm tall and weighs a little over 1 kg.
Is a fairy penguin the same as a little penguin?
Yes. 'Fairy penguin' is a common Australian name and 'kororā' is the Māori name for the same species, Eudyptula minor.
Where can you see little penguins?
Along the coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand. Many people watch them return to land at dusk at Phillip Island in Victoria.
How long do little penguins live?
On average about 6 years, though a banded bird was found alive at 25 years and 8 months.
What is a group of little penguins called?
A group of Little Penguins is called a colony. It is also known as a raft.
What is a baby little penguin called?
A baby Little Penguin is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Little Penguin:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Eudyptula minor, most recently assessed in 2020.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Eudyptula minor. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Eudyptula minor. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Little Penguin. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: Little Penguin Eudyptula minor. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Least Concern (assessed 2020), population estimate and trend.
- Animal Diversity Web: Eudyptula minor. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Size, lifespan and diet.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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