Who am I?
Little penguin aka fairy penguin or blue penguin
How can you tell it’s me?
I am a bird that can’t fly! I am a great diver, but I am a bit clumsy on land. I’m the smallest penguin species in the world. I have a white belly, a blue back and head and strong flipper to propel myself through the water.
Where is the best place to find me?
Although I can pop up in different places in the Bay and divers and snorkelers are lucky to see me from time to time, the best place to see me is on land, on the St Kilda breakwater. We started living there over 50 years ago and now we are around 1,400 nesting there in-between the rocks.
Why am I important for Port Phillip Bay?
As a top predator, I am an important part of a healthy ecosystem. I keep the populations of my prey in check like small schooling fish. I remove vulnerable prey that are old, sick, or injured, leaving more food for heathier ones to live and reproduce.
How can you help protect me better?
If you find a penguin (or any other marine wildlife) that is injured or entangled anywhere in Victoria, contact the Marine Response Unit, or Wildlife Victoria after hours, to report it so it can be rescued. If you see me on land, don’t come too close, don’t take photos with flash or disturb me; I need to focus on caring for my babies after a long day fishing in the Bay. If you live near St Kilda, you can volunteer with Earthcare St Kilda to help keep me safe on the breakwater.
Photographer – Catherine Cavallo