Moulting

After breeding adult birds undergo an annual moult in late summer when they replace their entire plumage thus ensuring continued waterproofing.

In the months just prior to the moult a penguin increases to one and a half times its normal weight. This is so it has plenty of reserves to survive the moulting season, when it is unable to leave the shore, swim or feed. They are restricted to sitting ashore in their nests and waiting for their new feathers to grow.

Moulting involves new feathers replacing the old ones and causing thhem to they fall out. Preening removes the old feathers and helps out the new. Moulting is a huge drain on the adult resulting in a large loss of weight.

Often breeding pairs return to the burrow together to moult. This process generally occurs around February to April.

The moulting process takes around 3 weeks in total. As the Little Penguins are unable to go into the water they are particularly defenceless during this time.

People often think that Little Penguins are sick during the moutling period and take them to Wildlife agencies. Although they do look somewhat 'under the weather' there is actually nothing wrong with them.