The first colony of this magical penguin, the smallest in the world, has arrived at Sea Life Benalmadena.
A pioneering breeding project in Europe brings us closer to this incredible species from the warm coasts of New Zealand.
Although they are birds...
- Blue penguins (also known as little Fairy penguins) are the smallest penguins in the world only reaching 33 cm and weigh around 1 kg.
- Have wings instead of flippers. They cannot fly and, on land, they walk upright, although they will slide on their bellies when conditions allow.
- In the water, they are expert swimmers and divers, can reach speeds of up to 8-10 kilometers per hour.
- We think that penguins live in cold places like Antarctica or the South Pole, but only a few types of penguins live that far south.
Want to find out more?
A unique voice
Each blue penguin has a unique sound, like a ‘sound signature,’ which they use to recognize their partner or their chicks.
Did you know...?
Penguins have evolved specifically for life in the sea, because of their dense bones that allow them to withstand the high pressures when they dive.
Their chicks
They are the only penguins in the world that can raise more than one pair of chicks per year.
More than feathers
They molt their feathers once a year, which means they cannot swim for a couple of weeks, as they are unable to keep warm in the water.
Little penguins can be found on land from June through March. During this time they lay their eggs, attend to their young, and moult. During April and May, they spend large amounts of time at sea feeding in preparation for the next nesting season.
