Pint-sized feathered friends are trading their sleek style for a ’feathery chic’ makeover at Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium.
The little blue penguins are amid their annual ’catastrophic moult,’ shedding their feathers to strut into autumn with an entirely new ensemble.
Despite being the world’s smallest penguin species, little blue penguins boast an impressive count of around 10,000 feathers each.
With 17 penguins going through the catastrophic moult, a staggering 170,000 feathers will be dropped into the exhibit during this unique event, keeping the team remarkably busy.
Unlike other bird species that moult gradually over an extended period, little blue penguins take moulting to the next level, making it an incredibly captivating process.
From November to March, the penguins undergo a rapid and dramatic transformation, shedding and regrowing all their feathers in just one to two weeks!
During the moulting season, penguins lose their waterproofing so can’t take to the water to feed. This adds an extra layer of significance to their pre-moult stage, during which they put on up to 500g of extra weight to sustain them throughout the feather renewal process.
Jess Hart, mammals manager, Sea Life Sunshine Coast, said, “Little blue penguins are known for their resilience and adaptability, and their catastrophic moult is a testament to the wonders of nature. It’s intriguing and a little comical to witness these penguins flaunting their extra chunky, extra fluffy appearance during this time.“
So far, three penguins, Sapphire, Ziggie, and Dasher, have completed their catastrophic moult and are happily showing off their brand-new feathers. Born at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast only last year, Ziggie and Dasher, embarked on this journey for the first time.
Daisy Barrett, marine animal specialist, Sea Life Sunshine Coast, said, “While Sapphire, Ziggie, and Dasher have already wowed guests with their transformed appearance, the majority of the colony is now moulting.
“This is a unique opportunity for guests to witness an incredible natural phenomenon in action.”
