The Fiordland Penguins are one of the most interesting and fascinating creatures that live in New Zealand.
These flightless birds spend their days hunting for food, playing with each other, and caring for their young.
They are found on the coastlines around Stewart Island/Rakiura, which is a remote part of New Zealand’s South Island.
Not only do they make for incredible viewing opportunities but they also offer educational opportunities to people who would like to learn more about these animals.
Why Fiordland Penguins are so special
The Fiordland Penguins are special because they are one of the rarest penguin species in the world. They only live on a few islands along New Zealand’s coast and they spend most of their time at sea hunting for food.
They are flightless birds that can reach speeds up to 15 kilometers per hour when swimming, but cannot fly like other types of penguins.r.
They have a beautiful black and white coat which allows them to camouflage themselves against predators while hunting for food at sea. They also have large flippers that help propel them through the water quickly as well.
How to see Fiordland Penguins
The best way to see Fiordland Penguins is by going on a boat tour around New Zealand’s South Island.
The best might be Fiordland National Park Boat Tours & River Cruises. They take passengers on stunning cruises around the Fiordland area so they can get an up-close look at these amazing creatures.
What they eat and how they feed themselves
The Fiordland Penguins are carnivores that eat just about anything they can find in the water.
They have sharp claws on their feet which allow them to dig around for food when necessary, but most of their meals come from fish and squid that swim by close enough to catch easily.
They also feed each other while swimming back up to the surface after diving.
How many Fiordland Penguins are there currently?
Today, there are around 5,000 to 7,000 Fiordland Penguins in the world.
They mostly live throughout New Zealand’s South Island and Stewart Islands/Rakiura where they find food at sea easily. Their habitats have been greatly disturbed by humans but efforts have been made since then to help restore their natural homes along the coastlines.
Despite their small numbers, they are not considered to be at risk of extinction right now because there are enough penguins that live in different locations around New Zealand’s coastline for them to find stability over time.
How big are Fiordland Penguins?
The Fiordland Penguins are very small birds that only weigh about eight pounds on average.
The length of a Fiordland penguin is between 22 inches and 55 centimeters.
What is the lifespan of the Fiordland Penguins?
Fiordland Penguins can live up to 20 years in the wild. Most of them only live until they reach around age 15 though because it is difficult for them to find enough food and survive all while protecting their young from predators like dogs, cats, stoats, ferrets, weasels and more.
