Little Blue Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Little Blue Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Little Blue Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
Little Blue Penguin
30-33 cm
1-1.5 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | Little Blue Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptula minor | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 30-33 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 1-1.5 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 6-25 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~469,760 individuals | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Small fish, Squid, Crustaceans | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Burrows, Coastal forests | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | New Zealand, Southern Australia | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Eudyptula | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
Little Blue Penguin
Least ConcernYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
Little Blue Penguin
Eudyptula minor
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
Little Blue Penguin
30-33 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
Little Blue Penguin
1-1.5 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
Little Blue Penguin
6-25 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
Little Blue Penguin
~469,760 individuals
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
Little Blue Penguin
Small fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Little Blue Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Burrows, Coastal forests
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
Little Blue Penguin
New Zealand, Southern Australia
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
Little Blue Penguin
Eudyptula
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
About Each Species
Little 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 PenguinYellow-eyed Penguin
Known as Hoiho ('noise shouter') in Māori, this large, pale-faced penguin endemic to New Zealand is one of the world's rarest, unique among penguins for being largely solitary and nesting out of sight of others.
Learn more about Yellow-eyed PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Little Blue Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Yellow-eyed Penguin is larger, standing up to 79cm tall compared to the Little Blue Penguin's 33cm.
Which is more endangered, Little Blue Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Little Blue Penguin is classified as "Least Concern" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do Little Blue Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
Little Blue Penguins are found in New Zealand, Southern Australia. Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.