There are currently 18 recognised species of penguins around the world, the smallest of which is the Little Penguin found on Phillip Island.
Little Penguins on Phillip Island
Phillip Island’s Little Penguins are 40 – 45 cm tall and weigh up to 1.2 kg. They are found nesting along the coastline of Australia and New Zealand. The largest colony of Little Penguins in Australia can be found on Phillip Island.
These small birds have a blue or grey upper body and white underbelly. They spend much of their life at sea, hunting for food. Because of this they can travel distances of over 1000 km in the first year of their life alone.
When feeding at sea the Little Penguin will consume the equivalent of its body weight in food every day. They feed in shallow waters, hunting for small fish, as well as diving to the sea floor for squid and krill. Little Penguins swallow their catch whole, and will bring food home to the nest for a partner or chicks.
Now that you know a bit about the Little Penguins on Phillip Island, let’s see how they compare to penguins around the world.
Adelie Penguins
Adelie Penguins are members of the brush-tailed group of penguins, so-called for their long tail feathers. They are approximately 70cm tall and weigh 4.6 kg – 5.3 kg. They are found in areas around Antarctica and currently have an increasing population.
African Penguin
The African Penguin is a member of the banded group of penguins. They are also known as the Black-footed Penguin and the Jackass Penguin (from the braying sound they make). They are approximately 60cm and weigh 3-3.3kg. This species is endangered but remaining populations can be found breeding along the coasts of South Africa and Namibia.
Chinstrap Penguin
The Chinstrap Penguin is easily distinguished by the conspicuous ear-to-ear black strap under the chin. Chinstraps are members of the brush-tailed group of penguins. They are 68 – 76cm tall and weigh 3.5 – 5.5kg. They are found in areas around Antarctica and currently have a decreasing population but are not considered endangered.
Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin is the largest penguin, in both body mass and height. They are 1.2m tall and weigh 32-40kg. They are found in Antarctica and interestingly, they do not build a nest but instead incubate the egg on their feet to keep it warm.
Erect-crested Penguin
The Erect-crested Penguin is a member of the crested group of penguins. Erect-crested Penguins are found only in New Zealand and have suffered substantial declines since the late 1970s. They are 65 – 70 cm tall and weigh 2.5 – 5.5kg.
Tawaki / Fiordland Penguin
The Fiordland Penguin is a member of the crested group of penguins. In New Zealand, these birds are commonly referred to by their Maori name, tawaki. They are 55cm tall and weigh 3.0 – 4.5 kg.
Galapagos Penguins
The Galapagos Penguins are the least noisy of all other penguin species. They are a member of the banded group of penguins. They are 49 – 55cm tall and weigh 2.5kg. This is the only penguin species that crosses the equator (from Equador) and has some populations that breed just along the edge of the Northern Hemisphere. All other penguin species breed entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
Gentoo Penguins
The Gentoo Penguin is the third largest penguin and also has the largest breeding range of any penguin species. Gentoos are a member of the brush-tailed group of penguins and are 51-90cm tall, weighing 5 – 8kg.
Humboldt Penguins
The Humboldt Penguin is a member of the banded group of penguins. They have a vulnerable population that is found along the coasts of Chile and Peru. Humboldt Penguins are 67 – 72cm tall, weighing 4.2 – 5kg.
King Penguins
The King Penguin is the second largest penguin, after the Emperor. They are 90cm tall and weigh 15 – 16kg. Similar to the Emperor Penguin, they make no nest, but instead lay a single egg which they hold on their feet for the entire incubation period of about 55 days.
Macaroni Penguins
Macaroni Penguins are the most abundant of all the penguins. They are members of the crested group of penguins. They are 71cm tall and weigh 3.1 – 5.0kg. Their declining population can be found across Antarctica and surrounding islands.
Magellanic Penguin
The Magellanic Penguin is a member of the banded group of penguins. They are 65cm tall and weigh 3.2 – 4.6kg. Their geographic range includes Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Falkland Islands, Argentina and Chile.
Northern Rockhopper Penguins
The Northern Rockhopper Penguin is the smallest of the Eudyptes group of crested penguins. Found across islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They are 52 – 55cm tall and weigh just 3kg. They are considered endangered.
Royal Penguins
The Royal Penguin is a member of the crested group of penguins. They are 66 – 76 cm tall and weigh 5.5kg. They can be found nesting on Macquarie Island and Bishop Island in Australia.
Pokotiwha / Snares Penguins
The Snares Penguin is a member of the crested group of penguins. The Snares Penguin is referred to by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand as pokotiwha. They are 51- 61 cm tall and weigh 2.8 – 3.4kg.
Snares Penguins
The Snares Penguin is a member of the crested group of penguins. The Snares Penguin is referred to by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand as pokotiwha. They are 51- 61cm tall and weigh 2.8 – 3.4 kg. Their population is currently stable but their conservation status is vulnerable.
Southern Rockhopper Penguin
The Southern Rockhopper Penguin is a member of the crested group of penguins. They are 45 – 58cm tall and weigh 2.8 – 3.0 kg. They have a large geographic breeding range – from Argentina and Chile to Australia and New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands.
Yellow-eyed Penguin
The Yellow-eyed Penguin’s scientific name means “big southern diver.” It is known as hoiho to the indigenous Maori of New Zealand, which means “noise-maker.” They are generally around 65cm tall and weigh 4.2 – 8.5kg.
Source: PenguinsInternational.org
Written by: Leah Furey – Digital Content Coordinator @gowest.com.au
