The scientific name of the fairy (or little) penguin – Eudyptula minor – is most descriptive. Not only are these penguins the smallest of the species, but Eudyptula means ‘good little diver’.

The fairy penguin’s streamlined shape and its efficient flippers enable it to seek prey in shallow short dives, typically between 10m and 30m. Its diet consists of small fish, some squid or krill (shrimp-like crustaceans) and occasionally crab larvae or sea horses from the sea floor.

Some fairy penguins return to their burrows year round, but most stay at sea over autumn and winter.

Most birds in a colony return to their burrows in small groups within an hour or so of darkness. Groups of penguins gather beyond the surf where they may be heard calling to each other.  In large colonies, hundreds of birds may come ashore in a brief time.

Fairy penguins have a distinctive song, which moves from a bass rumble to a trumpeting cry, accompanied by flipper, beak and body movements. At night, and especially in the breeding season, the din of a penguin colony can be considerable.

Fairy penguins can be seen in a number of places around Tasmania – including Bicheno, The Neck on Bruny Island, Low Head, Lillicoe Beach in Devonport, Burnie and Stanley – although the majority (up to 95 per cent of the birds) live on offshore islands.