Breeding

The annual breeding season for Little Penguins varies from colony to colony and is affected by food availability.

Nest building generally occurs in September with incubation from mid-October until November. The incubation period can vary between 33-37 days and is shared by both sexes.

Females choose a mate according to which burrow they like best. The male who has taken the most care in preparing and furnishing a burrow generally gets the girl!

When the chicks hatch they are helpless and are brooded for 2-3 weeks. During this time the parents take it in turns to forage for food at sea. After this 2-3 week period both adults leave the chicks unguarded in the nest during the day while they forage at sea to obtain food for the rapidly growing chicks.

Penguin chicks hatch covered in a fine downy coat. After two weeks the fine down is supplemented by a thicker, warmer down coat. At about six weeks the penguin chicks start to grow adult (blue) feathers. By the time they reach ten weeks the penguin chicks have a complete coat of adult feathers, which enables them to "fledge" - go to sea and live independent of their parents.