Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Eudyptula minor - endangered population
Gazetted date:
27 Oct 2000
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2017
Description
The smallest penguin species, generally weighing between 1000 and 1200g and standing about 30cm tall. Upper body is slate-blue coloured whilst the underside is white. Flippers are blue-black, with a white trailing edge and white below. The bill is black, feet are pale with black soles, and the eye is silvery grey.
Distribution
Occurs in Australia and NZ. They generally breed from south of Port Stephens in NSW along the coast through Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and as far as Fremantle in Western Australia. This endangered population occurs from just north of Smedley's Point to Cannae Point, North Sydney Harbour, Manly.
Habitat and ecology
- Only known breeding population on the mainland in NSW.
- A range of nest sites are utilised by the penguins at Manly including under rocks on the foreshore, under seaside houses and structures, such as stairs, in wood piles and under overhanging vegetation including lantana and under coral tree roots.
- Male penguins start returning to the colony in May/June to find or reconstruct a suitable burrow for nesting and to attract females. At this time they may spend all day in their burrows.
- Time of egg-laying varies slightly from year to year but has been recorded at Manly as early as the first week of June. The peak breeding season however is generally from July to February.
- Little Penguins usually lay a clutch of 2 white eggs of about 55 g in weight. Although both eggs hatch, usually only one chick fledges successfully. At Manly, however, it is common for both chicks to successfully fledge.
- It is also common for the Manly penguins to double brood, that is, to produce a second clutch of eggs later in the season after the chicks from the first clutch have fledged.
- The incubation period varies between 33 and 37 days with the male and female sharing incubation duties and shifts usually lasting 1 to 2 days.
- For 2 to 3 weeks after the chicks have hatched, adults alternate between remaining in the nest and foraging at sea. The adults swap these guarding and feeding roles each evening.
- After the chicks have developed enough to maintain their body temperature, they are left unguarded during the day while both adults forage at sea. As the chicks grow, parents visit the nest less often, except for regular evening feedings.
- Chicks leave the nest after 7 to 9 weeks to mature at sea. Once the young have fledged (left the nest), adults increase their fat stores in preparation for the moult (when they replace their plumage) which usually occurs in February and March..
- Penguins spend about 2 to 3 weeks ashore when moulting during which time they cannot forage until their new plumage is waterproof. This requires extreme physiological effort and increases energy loss and by the end of the process, they are emaciated.
- The Manly penguins moult between December and February and it is at this time when they are most vulnerable as they do not always moult deep in the burrows, but often only in shallow depressions.
- They appear to be opportunistic feeders foraging in relatively shallow waters preying on small schooling fish and squid.
- Penguins forage closer to their colony and trips are short in duration during the breeding season but may range for days over hundreds of kilometres outside this period.
- The foraging range and breeding success is very much dependant on the availability and abundance of food.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Small population size, which is sensitive to fluctuations in environmental conditions and threats (e.g. fox attack).
- Disturbance to penguins and habitat from development and land management.
- Habitat still has the potential to be lost as residents renovate or develop their properties around the foreshore.
- Predation of nests, chicks, and adults by foxes.
- Predation and disturbance by domestic animals (e.g. dogs and cats).
- Disturbance from recreational visitors and residents entering nesting areas and disturbing penguin behaviour from noise, movement and light.
- Penguins will delay their arrival to the nest to feed their chicks if they perceive any disturbance. This means that there is less food for the young as the longer the adults are delayed, the more food will be digested by them.
- As awareness of the population grows, there is increased interest from some people to access the penguins. There have been incidences of nests being deliberately tampered with or completely destroyed.
- Weed removal around the foreshore is another major threat to the colony. The penguins rely on vegetation for cover and many nests and penguin access and egress routes are hidden by and amongst weeds, particularly lantana.
- As well as providing cover from predators and humans, vegetation, both native and non-native, helps to protect the penguin's habitat by stabilising topsoil, slowing and scattering surface runoff and providing shade which reduces heat.
- Pollution may adversely impact the colony. Stormwater runoff and rubbish dumping can destroy nesting habitat and expose penguins to pollutants. Oil spill incidents are another threat to the colony.
- Pollution from stormwater, sewerage overflows, watercourses and atmospheric fallout affect water quality and substrate composition and may affect penguin health.
- Industrial and urban inputs into the harbour can also contaminate the penguins' food source.
- Mortality or injury from boat strike.
- Lack of information on threats including the causes of population decline and the scale of threats such as climate change and associated changes in food availability
- Loss of suitable habitat and habitat features.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect habitat.
- Continue monitoring the population including annual breeding success and status of the population.
- Maintain mortality register.
- Continue to enforce the Area of Outstanding Biodiversity declaration.
- DPE/NPWS to continue working with Northern Beaches Council, the Road & Maritime Services, Fisheries NSW, Taronga Zoo, Sealife, Penguin Wardens, and the community to better protect and recover the population.
- Undertake predator monitoring and control.
Information sources
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Endangered Population of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor at Manly Recovery Plan. NPWS, Sydney.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Little penguin population, Manly Point area - Endangered population determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Stahel, C. and Gales, R. (1987) Little Penguin - Fairy Penguins in Australia. NSW University Press, Kensington.
Video
Little Penguin health check at Manly 2012
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