blue penguin, (Eudyptula minor), also called little penguin, little blue penguin, or fairy penguin, species of penguin (order Sphenisciformes) characterized by its diminutive stature and pale blue to dark gray plumage. It is the smallest of all known penguin species, and it is the only species of the genus Eudyptula. There are, however, six subspecies: E. minor novaehollandiae inhabits mainland Australia and Tasmania, while E. minor minor, E. minor iredelai, E. minor variabilis, E. minor albosignata, and E. minor chathamensis are native to the islands of New Zealand.
Across all subspecies, adults average about 25–30 cm (about 10–12 inches) in