Little

penguin/kororā
View a nest live stream and learn more
about the world’s smallest penguin.
The little penguin (or little blue
penguin) is just over 25 cm and weighs
about 1 kg.
New Zealand status: Native
Conservation: At Risk–Declining
Threats: Dogs, predation, road kills

Species information: Little penguin on NZ Birds Online

Peak inside a little
penguins/kororā nest
The 24/7 live stream (above) lets viewers peek inside the lives of a
nesting pair of little penguins/kororā. On stream, you'll see the pair
prepare for the breeding season, incubate their eggs and care for their
chicks.

Watch highlights from the live stream

These birds are easily disturbed by humans, so the live stream is a
perfect way to experience them up close while giving them the space they
need.

Kāpiti Coast Biodiversity Project and Groundtruth with support from DOC
and Air New Zealand set up the live stream. It will be online for the entire
breeding season from August to December 2020.

View the live stream on Youtube     (external site)

The Kāpiti Coast Biodiversity Project also work to protect kororā all along
the Kāpiti Coast. They do this with support from DOC and Air New
Zealand through the Marine Sentinel Sites Programme.
Read the media release: A new live cam brings you into the nest with
kororā this summer - 11 September 2020
Little penguin/kororā
conservation
Declining populations
Little penguins were common in New Zealand, but most are now on
offshore islands where there is less disturbance.

Did you know?

Their paddle-like flippers are excellent for ‘flying’ through the water
at speeds of up to 6 km/h.
Their population and range of has been declining in areas not protected
from predators. Where predator control is in place, populations have been
stable or increasing.

Dogs are likely the greatest threat to little penguin. Cats, ferrets and
stoats will also kill them.

These threats have increased with more coastal development bringing

more dogs and the clearance of traditional nesting sites.

Little penguins are also killed crossing coastal roads, being hit by boats,
or caught in set nets.

Why they come ashore

Adult birds come ashore between May and June to prepare nests. They
may waddle up to 1.5 km from the sea, and climb 300 m to find the
perfect nest site.

Traditional nests are in underground burrows, under vegetation, in

crevices, between rocks or in caves. Since people came onto the coastal
scene, little penguins have also taken to nesting under houses and boat
sheds, in stormwater pipes, and stacks of timber.
Adults also come ashore to shed their feathers and grow a new
waterproof coat. This moult period lasts about two weeks and can happen
any time between November and March. The penguins are especially
vulnerable at this time as they cannot swim.

Where to spot penguins

By day little penguins are out at sea, fishing and feeding, or in their
burrows roosting, moulting or tending eggs or chicks. They are more likely
to be seen in sheltered harbours and inlets where they may be spotted
from a boat.

They are rarely seen on land, and generally only come ashore under the
cover of darkness.

You may join an organised tour to see little penguins at Oamaru, Taiaroa
Head, and recognised observation spots at other coastal sites.

From May to June, when birds are pairing up and sorting out nests, they
are very noisy. You can sometimes hear them if you visit the coast just
after dusk.

Many penguins in Wellington harbour have been banded, providing

valuable information about their movements and lifespan. We now know
that birds do not often move far from home. When ready to breed, many
young animals settle just metres from where they themselves were
raised. And once settled in an area, they seldom move away.

Protection and research

Little penguins are protected by the Wildlife Act, which is administered by
DOC.

DOC has helped community groups by fencing off areas and providing
nest boxes for penguins.

A research project was carried out as part of the National Marine

Reserves Monitoring and Reporting programme, funded by DOC's
partnership with Air New Zealand. Read the Little penguin behaviour and
ecoystem health factsheet (PDF, 8,530K)   (opens in new window)
You can help
Keep our penguins safe
 Leave penguins alone. Usually scruffy birds are simply moulting.
 Put your dog on a leash around penguin areas.
 Keep your dog away from nests, and warn others nearby of the location.
 Donate your time or money to help penguin protection groups, such as the
Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and Forest & Bird.
Download a flyer (PDF, 1,170K)  or bumper sticker (PDF, 288K) .
 (opens in new window)   (opens in new window)

Help penguins at your place

People and penguins like to live in the same places – prime coastal
habitat – and penguins still try to live with people.

But what if you don’t want noisy penguins nesting under your house?

 Little penguins often return to where they hatched. In late March to April
(before the breeding season), you should block up access points under your
house.
 Check you haven’t blocked a bird in, or separated a parent from its chicks.
It is risky to block penguins’ access while they are nesting or moulting (from
May to early March), as you may trap birds under the house. Also, by sealing
them out, you may expose a moulting bird to predators.
 Consider providing a nest box elsewhere on your section.
Build a nest box
The Nest box design (PDF, 604K)  has been successfully used where
 (opens in new window)

suitable nest sites have not been available, or to relocate birds evicted
from their chosen nest site (eg removed from under houses).
Penguins readily adopt the boxes, in some cases being occupied just a
few hours after being placed!

They prefer nest boxes over natural sites, and breeding success in the
boxes has been equal or higher than that observed at natural sites.

 Boxes are designed to be partially or completely buried, however they can

be used as free-standing units.
 Place boxes with the tunnel entrances pointing slightly downhill (for
drainage) and around 2 m apart.
 If the lid is left accessible for easy inspection, secure firmly with a large
rock as penguins may dislodge it during courtship or territorial defence.
 If regular inspections are not required, nail or screw the lid down.
 Do not provide nesting material, the penguins will find their own.
Materials like hay or straw can cause respiratory infections.
Places for Penguins project
If you're in Wellington, you can help little penguin through the Places for
Penguins project .   (external site)

Emergency hotline
Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone
catching, harming or killing native wildlife.
Help protect our native birds
When visiting parks, beaches, rivers, and lakes
 Check for pests when visiting pest-free islands.
 Leave nesting birds alone.
 Use available access ways to get to the beach. 
 Avoid leaving old fishing lines on beaches or in the sea.
 Follow the water care code and local navigation bylaws.
 Don't drive on riverbeds, or keep to formed tracks if you have to.
When out with your dog
 Only take dogs to areas that allow them, and keep them under control.
 If you come across wildlife put your dog on a lead and lead it away. 
 Warn other dog owners at the location.
 Notify DOC if you see wildlife being harassed by people or dogs.
Other ways to help
 Get your dog trained in avian awareness.
 Volunteer to control predators and restore bird habitats.
 Set predator traps on your property.
 Put a bell on your cat's collar and feed it well.
Coastal wildlife and your dog flyer (PDF, 1,170K)    (opens in new window)