What is the smallest penguin species?
The little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the smallest penguin species, standing only 30 to 33 cm (about 12 to 13 inches) tall and weighing just 1 to 1.5 kg (2.2 to 3.3 pounds). Found along the coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand, they are also known as fairy penguins. Despite their tiny size, they are excellent swimmers and divers, reaching depths of up to 30 meters. The second-smallest species is the Galapagos penguin at 49 to 53 cm tall.
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Reference bodies behind our comparison answers. Links last checked August 5, 2026.
- IUCN Red List - Global conservation assessments and extinction-risk categories.
- BirdLife Data Zone - Species accounts, distribution, and population summaries.
- Smithsonian Ocean Portal - Penguin biology, anatomy, and breeding explainers.