Study reveals fishing habits of little penguins from Tasmanian colonies

A study has revealed new insights into the foraging activities of little penguins and how environmental conditions affect how they hunt for food. Key points: The penguins were found to use different foraging strategies depending on the conditions of their environment Factors including currents, water temperature, depth and salinity all influenced their behaviour Little penguins are "fast and nimble" when in the water, making it harder for them to become prey themselves The study monitored 29 penguins from three separate colonies within Storm Bay in Tasmania's south, and the results showed vast differences in how they went about feeding. Environmental conditions impact foraging Mary-Anne Lea coauthored the study and said the varying conditions that the penguins encountered in their environment impacted the location of prey. "For example, cold ocean eddies and river mouths are associated with high levels of nutrients that support phytoplankton and therefore attract fish that penguins prey on," Associate Professor Lea said. "As conditions change in highly variable and complex environments such as Storm Bay, so too do the locations where little penguins can find food," she said.