The little Penguin Eudyptula minor in Victoria, IV: Moult

Abstract

This paper reports on the seasonal timing of moult and the location of the moulting place in relation to the breeding burrow at Phillip Island. Some individuals moulted in burrows close to where they breed, sometimes in the identical burrow. The birds were more likely to use the same burrow or remain in the vicinity when the breeding had been successful. Some moulting birds changed burrows, and this may be commoner in some colonies in some years. The date of moult appeared relatively constant from year to year compared with egglaying. Slight differences in the date were evident between colonies at Phillip Island, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand.