Have you heard of an Eudyptula albosignata? I didn't think so. An Eudyptula albosignata is also known as a White Flippered Penguin. The White Flippered Penguin is the most common name.You can find this animal mostly in Canterbury, New Zealand. Its appearance is blue-grey with white markings on its flippers. Although, the White Flippered Penguin has a distinct appearance, it was previously thought to be a member of the Little Penguin subspecies. Its now known as its own species.

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The White Flippered Penguin might be mistaken for a Little Penguin but has its own distinct appearance. The general size of this animal is about one foot (12 in.). This penguin has an overall blue-grey appearance with white leading edges on its flippers. Its wings have adapted to flippers since its swims more than it flies. One identifying characteristic it has is its white flippers.This shows how the White Flippered Penguin has its own distinct appearance compared to the Little Penguin.

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This animal is found in very few places in the world. It can be mostly found in Canterbury, New Zealand, and the South Islands.  The most recent estimate of the population is 2,200 pairs and have had an overall loss of 83 percent between 1981 and 2000. The conservation status is threatened but a conservation project is being worked on. With this conservation project and stopping of intrusions of humans into their habitat, the population will grow once again.

The White Flippered Penguin can differ from other penguins in a few ways. This animals place in the food web is about in the middle. They feed on small shoaling fish or squid and less often crustaceans.  Their prey is caught by pursuit diving. They stay with the colony during the day and then leave under the cover of darkness and return before dawn. Ferrets, feral cats and stoats are main predators to these penguins. Also, a domestic dog could be a major threat. These birds are prey to many other organisms because they do not have the characteristics to be a strong predator.

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Considering White Flippered penguins are the only species unique to Canterbury, they help protect their own local biodiversity. The White Flippered Penguin is a very unique species. It having its own distinct appearance from the little penguin and being thought of as a member when actually having its own species.So next time you happen to run across a penguin know that its not just an ordinary penguin, it has characteristics that make it a total different species!

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Author: Justina R.                                                                                                               

Published: 09/2014      

 

Sources: www.penguin.org.nz/white-flippered-penguin.html  (February 4&10)

www.wikipedia.org  (February 10)

 

Picture Source: http://www.penguin.org.nz/updates.html