Food of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor in Victoria: Comparison of Three Localities Between 1985 and 1988

Abstract

The food of Little Penguins Eudyptula minor was determined at three sites in Victoria over a 28-month period, covering two complete breeding seasons between 1985 and 1988. There were marked differences between sites in the species taken but most were mid-water shoaling fish and squid under 12 cm in length. There were also changes during the year and from year to year. Two methods of estimating the contribution of different fish to the diet are compared. At one of the sites Little Penguin food was sampled in parallel with another study involving mid-water trawls for small fish. This confirmed that the species taken by the birds were the most abundant present. The breeding of the birds was also monitored at the three sites and was less successful in the second season when less food was being brought ashore by the penguins and collected by the trawls.