The diet of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Phillip Island, Victoria, in the absence of a major prey – Pilchard (Sardinops sagax)

Abstract

The diet of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) was investigated in December 1995 and during the 1996–97 breeding period at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. The composition of the diet in this study differed markedly from that reported previously. Pilchard (Sardinops sagax), once a major prey, had virtually disappeared from the diet and Anchovy (Engraulis australis) showed a substantial decrease in frequency of occurrence. Instead, penguins had taken a temporal succession of juveniles of Red Cod (Pseudophycis bachus), Barracouta (Thyrsites atun), and Blue Warehou (Seriolella brama). Little Penguins had lower and higher than average breeding success in the 1995–96 and 1996–97, respectively, suggesting that the absence of Pilchards itself did not necessarily reduce the breeding success of Little Penguins. These findings contrast with those recorded in the 1980s when the absences of Pilchard and Anchovy had a negative impact on the penguins' breeding performance.