Animals

Little Blue Penguins

Meet the World's Smallest Penguins

Little Blue Penguins are known for their small size and iconic blue colors. How little is little? They’re the smallest species of penguins and stand at about 10 inches tall and weigh up to 3 pounds. Not all penguins live in snow! Little Blue Penguins are native to the coastal dunes and rocky shores of Southern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.

Caring for Penguins

As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Birch Aquarium participates in several cooperative breeding programs. This collaborative work helps to maintain the genetic diversity of certain species in zoos and aquariums to ensure healthy and thriving populations. This work is especially important as Little Blue Penguin numbers have declined in recent years from climate change and human development.
 

Dive into their World

Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins puts the spotlight on these fascinating seabirds, bringing attention to the important role they play in our ecosystems both in the ocean and on land.

Penguin Feedings

Did you know these pint-sized penguins eat about 20 percent of their body weight a day? Join us during our Little Blue Penguin feedings to find out all about our colony and how our Husbandry Team cares for them. Daily at 10 a.m.

Penguin Feeding

Little Blue Penguins 101

Immerse yourself in the world of Little Blue Penguins and find out what makes this species of penguins so unique! Learn all about our colony and how our husbandry team cares for them during this daily presentation. Daily at 3 p.m.

Little Blue Penguin 101

Penguin Cam

Watch our Penguin Cam to see our Little Blue Penguins live on exhibit as they waddle, swim and explore! You can even tune in to watch them eat fish during our daily feedings at 10 a.m.

view penguin cam

Two Little Blue Penguins waddle around their habitat.
tammy

Supporting Scripps Science

The study of penguins and other seabirds takes flight through the research of Scripps PhD student Tammy Russell.

Dive into seabird science!