How did the little blue penguin get its name?

How did the little blue penguin get its name?

These common names come from their small size, the smallest of any of the world’s penguins, and the distinctive slate-blue or indigo-blue coloration of the feathers on the top of their body. Their scientific genus name, Eudyptula, means ‘good little diver,’ which they are.

Are Little blue penguins native to NZ?

Little penguin/korora: Little blue penguin: New Zealand native sea and shore birds.

Where are blue penguins found?

Blue penguins breed on the coastal mainland and islands of New Zealand and southern Australia (shown on map below). In Australia they used to be called fairy penguins. There are several things that are unique to the little blue penguin: Its colour — blue with a white chest.

Are Little blue penguins extinct?

Least Concern (Population decreasing)
Little penguin/Conservation status

What are baby penguins called?

Penguin babies, called “chicks,” are covered in fuzzy down feathers which help to keep them warm. They look quite furry – but this isn’t fur – it is feathers. Penguins share many observable traits found in other birds as well. They have beaks, wings, lay eggs, have feathers, and incubate their eggs.

What is the blue penguin called?

fairy penguin
Blue penguin, (Eudyptula minor), also called little penguin, little blue penguin, or fairy penguin, species of penguin (order Sphenisciformes) characterized by its diminutive stature and pale blue to dark gray plumage. It is the smallest of all known penguin species, and it is the only species of the genus Eudyptula.

Can you own a little blue penguin?

Penguins are considered exotic animals. Now, that doesn’t necessarily make them illegal to own. There are many exotic animals that are perfectly legal to keep as pets in the United States. However, penguins are not one of these species.

Do penguins fly?

No, technically penguins cannot fly. Penguins are birds, so they do have wings. However, the wing structures of penguins are evolved for swimming, rather than flying in the traditional sense. Penguins swim underwater at speeds of up to 15 to 25 miles per hour .

Do penguins have tails?

A penguin’s tail is short and wedge-shaped. Adelie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins (known as brush-tailed penguins) have 14 to 18 stiff tail feathers, which they often use as a prop when on land. Penguins have about 80 feathers per square inch—more than any other bird.

Are Little blue penguins nocturnal?

Little penguins are nocturnal on land. They return to nesting areas at dusk, congregating in small groups, or “rafts” offshore. Rafts usually come ashore together and are comprised of the same individuals each night.

Can you eat a penguin?

Legally you cannot eat penguins in most countries because of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. People such as explorers did used to eat them, so it is possible. Eating too many could lead to mercury toxicity. If you did choose to eat a penguin or it’s eggs, they would generally taste quite fishy!

Who was the first scientist to discover the little blue penguin?

Johann Forster was the first biologist to discover the little blue penguin in the late 18 th century. Naturalists hold that these penguins believed to exist more than 2 million years ago. Eudyptula Minor is the scientific name of little penguins.

Where does the little blue penguin live in the world?

The little blue penguin, belongs to the family of Spheniscidae, is by far the smallest of all the penguin species. These birds are mostly found in the Southern coastlines of Australia.

Which is the smallest penguin in the world?

The little blue penguin, belongs to the family of Spheniscidae, is by far the smallest of all the penguin species. These birds are mostly found in the Southern coastlines of Australia. Johann Forster was the first biologist to discover the little blue penguin in the late 18 th century.

How big is the average size of a little blue penguin?

Eudyptula Minor is the scientific name of little penguins. The average length of these penguins is about 43 cm (17 in), some of which measures around 33 cm (13 in). Unlike other species, these penguins are called by different names such as Fairy Penguins, and Blue Penguins.