Eastern Rockhopper Penguin vs Little Blue Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin and Little Blue Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Little Blue Penguin
Size Comparison
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
2-3.4 kg
Little Blue Penguin
30-33 cm
1-1.5 kg
| Feature | Eastern Rockhopper Penguin | Little Blue Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes filholi | Eudyptula minor |
| Height | 45-58 cm | 30-33 cm |
| Weight | 2-3.4 kg | 1-1.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-30 years | 6-25 years |
| Population | ~1,600,000 pairs | ~469,760 individuals |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans | Small fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass | Rocky coastlines, Burrows, Coastal forests |
| Regions | Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island | New Zealand, Southern Australia |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Eudyptula |
Conservation Status
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
VulnerableLittle Blue Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes filholi
Little Blue Penguin
Eudyptula minor
Height
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
Little Blue Penguin
30-33 cm
Weight
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
2-3.4 kg
Little Blue Penguin
1-1.5 kg
Lifespan
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
10-30 years
Little Blue Penguin
6-25 years
Population
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
~1,600,000 pairs
Little Blue Penguin
~469,760 individuals
Diet
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans
Little Blue Penguin
Small fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass
Little Blue Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Burrows, Coastal forests
Regions
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island
Little Blue Penguin
New Zealand, Southern Australia
Genus
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes
Little Blue Penguin
Eudyptula
About Each Species
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Recognized as a distinct species from the Western Rockhopper since 2006, Eastern Rockhoppers breed on sub-Antarctic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and share the same bold yellow crest and red eyes as their relatives.
Learn more about Eastern Rockhopper PenguinLittle Blue Penguin
The world's smallest penguin species at just 30–33 cm tall and around 1 kg, Little Blue Penguins are unique for their slate-blue plumage and nocturnal habits on land, returning to their burrows only after dark.
Learn more about Little Blue PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Little Blue Penguin?
The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin is larger, standing up to 58cm tall compared to the Little Blue Penguin's 33cm.
Which is more endangered, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Little Blue Penguin?
The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the Little Blue Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and Little Blue Penguins live in the same area?
Eastern Rockhopper Penguins are found in Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island. Little Blue Penguins are found in New Zealand, Southern Australia.