Voice
At sea, a sharp barking notes, or puppy-like yaps, suggesting a small dog. Ass-like braying, deep growls, mews during geeting and threat displays.
Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) [XC362980]
by James Lidster from Don, Devonport City Council, Tasmania, Australia (call)
Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) [XC708397]
by Sunny Tseng from Penguin Parade (near Summerlands), Bass Coast Shire, Victoria, Australia (uncertain)
Nest
A little dry grass or seaweed placed in cavities between rocks or in a burrow scraped out beneath tussock-grass or other vegatation. In pairs or loose colonies, rarely singly.
Eggs (Guide)
Up to 3; white; oval; 50 - 60 x 38 - 44 mm. Incubation: 35 - 42 days; by both sexes.
Young
Fledge in about 240 days.
Subspecies
Subspecies albosignata has often been considered distinct species. There is some dispute concerning validity of subspecies, and recent evidence points to North-South cline.
The following 6 subspecies are recognised:
minor (Forster, 1781) - Western and south-eastern coast of South Island, New Zealand, Stewart Island.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet