Fairy Penguins, Low Head, Tasmania

These little guys are pretty gorgeous but they sound terrible! On a recent holiday to Tasmania we decided we would like to encounter as much wildlife as possible. These were some of the fellas we met.

Fairy Penguins breed between October to December and as we were down in Tassie in January we were able to see these parents toddle up the beach to feed their young who were nested on the shore.

It is possible to get quite close to the penguins as they waddle up the sand dunes as long as you stand very still as they go by. These little guys above actually trampled my feet! Lucky for me they are the smallest of all penguins. Trampling included, it was quite an amazing experience.

The whole feeding process was pretty noisy and a little violent - the young penguins beat their parents as they fight to get the food they need to grow into chubby little birds - but very worthwhile. Incredible even.

To hear these birds sing - if you can call it that - click on the audio link at the bottom of the page here.

Had to update just to say: Did you know that Fairy Penguins do not have eyelids? It's true, they don't which is why I couldn't use a flash when taking this picture. It would hurt their little eyes. The red light is from our cellophane covered torches. So, now you know no penguins were hurt by the taking of this picture.