White-flippered Penguin
Encyclopedia
The White-flippered Penguin (Eudyptula minor albosignata) is a small penguin
about 30 cm tall and weighing 1.5 kg. It gains its name from the white markings on its flipper
s, unique to the subspecies. It nests only on Banks Peninsula
and Motunau Island, near Christchurch, New Zealand
, with only around 3,750 breeding pairs.
of the Little Penguin
(E. minor). mtDNA analysis by Banks et al. (2002) suggested that New Zealand's North Island and Chatham Island Little Penguins should be considered a distinct species – of which the White-flippered Penguin is probably a subspecies
– and the Little Penguins of the western South Island of New Zealand and Australia also as a separate species. Shirihai (2008) treats the Little Penguin and White-flippered Penguin as allospecies. However, as of 2009, the IUCN and BirdLife International consider the White-flippered Penguin to be a subspecies or morph of the Little Penguin.
s, caves, rock jumbles. and in the sheltered areas at the bases of bays. They are found mostly in Canterbury, New Zealand.
during the day, and then leave under the cover of darkness and return before dawn. However, on Banks Peninsula, some birds can be observed on land outside their burrow
s during daylight.
In the evening, these penguins tend to assemble offshore in groups until light levels are low enough for them to feel sufficiently safe to head inland. This results in large batches of birds arriving at one time.
from July to December, with most egg-laying occurring August through November. The eggs are always laid in burrows under tree brush almost like nests; they are also laid in dune
s, or on vegetated slopes, and are incubated for 33 to 39 days. Chicks fledge
after 50 to 65 days.
.
The Motunau Beach Biodiversity Development Team are working on a conservation project for white-flippered penguins. Motunau Beach Biodiversity
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
about 30 cm tall and weighing 1.5 kg. It gains its name from the white markings on its flipper
Flipper (anatomy)
A flipper is a typically flat limb evolved for movement through water. Various creatures have evolved flippers, for example penguins , cetaceans A flipper is a typically flat limb evolved for movement through water. Various creatures have evolved flippers, for example penguins (also called...
s, unique to the subspecies. It nests only on Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula
Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves...
and Motunau Island, near Christchurch, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, with only around 3,750 breeding pairs.
Taxonomy
The White-flippered Penguin is currently considered by most taxonomists to be a color morph or subspeciesSubspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Little Penguin
Little Penguin
The Little Penguin is the smallest species of penguin. The penguin, which usually grows to an average of in height and in length , is found on the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand, with possible records from Chile.Apart from Little Penguins, they have several common names...
(E. minor). mtDNA analysis by Banks et al. (2002) suggested that New Zealand's North Island and Chatham Island Little Penguins should be considered a distinct species – of which the White-flippered Penguin is probably a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
– and the Little Penguins of the western South Island of New Zealand and Australia also as a separate species. Shirihai (2008) treats the Little Penguin and White-flippered Penguin as allospecies. However, as of 2009, the IUCN and BirdLife International consider the White-flippered Penguin to be a subspecies or morph of the Little Penguin.
Habitat
White-flippered Penguins live in headlandHeadland
A headland is a point of land, usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water.Headland can also refer to:*Headlands and bays*headLand, an Australian television series...
s, caves, rock jumbles. and in the sheltered areas at the bases of bays. They are found mostly in Canterbury, New Zealand.
General behavior
White-flippered Penguins are primarily nocturnal animals on land and are unique among penguins in this respect. They differ from other penguins in that they stay with the colonyBird colony
A bird colony is a large congregation of individuals of one or more species of bird that nest or roost in close proximity at a particular location. Many kinds of birds are known to congregate in groups of varying size; a congregation of nesting birds is called a breeding colony...
during the day, and then leave under the cover of darkness and return before dawn. However, on Banks Peninsula, some birds can be observed on land outside their burrow
Burrow
A burrow is a hole or tunnel dug into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. Burrows provide a form of shelter against predation and exposure to the elements, so the burrowing way of life is quite popular among the...
s during daylight.
In the evening, these penguins tend to assemble offshore in groups until light levels are low enough for them to feel sufficiently safe to head inland. This results in large batches of birds arriving at one time.
Breeding
The White-flippered Penguin lays its eggsBird egg
Bird eggs are laid by females and incubated for a time that varies according to the species; a single young hatches from each egg. Average clutch sizes range from one to about 17...
from July to December, with most egg-laying occurring August through November. The eggs are always laid in burrows under tree brush almost like nests; they are also laid in dune
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
s, or on vegetated slopes, and are incubated for 33 to 39 days. Chicks fledge
Fledge
Fledge is the stage in a young bird's life when the feathers and wing muscles are sufficiently developed for flight. It also describes the act of a chick's parents raising it to a fully grown state...
after 50 to 65 days.
Feeding
The White-flippered Penguin feeds on small shoaling fish, such as pilchards and anchovies, or cephalopods, and less often on crustaceans. It catches its food by pursuit diving. Most feeding takes place within 25 km of the coast with daily round trips.the farthest trip out to sea for food was 75 km offshore.Conservation
In August 2010 the White-flippered Penguin was listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
.
The Motunau Beach Biodiversity Development Team are working on a conservation project for white-flippered penguins. Motunau Beach Biodiversity