Patterns of Arrival and Departure by Breeding Little Penguins at Penguin Island, Western Australia

Abstract

On Penguin Island, Westem Australia, similar numbers of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor came ashore at each of the three landfall points on beaches giving access to the main breeding area. Almost every marked bird consistently used only one of these landfall points, and nested close to this point, but the same individuals did not regularly come ashore together. Little Penguins first arrived on the island 0.5-1 h after sunset throughout 1986-87, in groups of about ten. Peak arrivals occurred about 1-2 h after sunset and peak departures around sunrise. Arrival times and group sizes did not appear related to climatic conditions. The strict noctumality of Little Penguins may be related to the avoidance of predators, human disturbance and heat stress, or to daylight feeding at sea. The small size and isolation of the Penguin Island colony do not favour its development as a tourist spectacle.