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Seasonal variation in the diet of blue penguins ( Eudyptula minor ) at Oamaru, New Zealand

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    2004

  • Author(s)

    M.M. Fraser; C. Lalas

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    51, 1

  • Pagination

    7-15

  • Article Type

    paper

Keywords

Blue Penguin; diet; Eudyptula minor; New Zealand; sprat; Sprattus.


Seasonal variation in the diet of blue penguins ( Eudyptula minor ) at Oamaru, New Zealand

Notornis, 51 (1), 7-15

M.M. Fraser; C. Lalas (2004)

Article Type: paper

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The diet of blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Oamaru, New Zealand was examined by stomach flushing. The 22 species identified comprised 14 fishes, 1 cephalopod and 7 crustaceans. Slender sprat (Sprattus antipodum) accounted for more than half of the diet throughout most of the year while Graham’s gudgeon (Grahamichthys radiata) and arrow squid (Nototodarus sloanii) were also important seasonally. Prey were either small, schooling, nearshore species or pelagic juveniles of larger species.