Blue penguins, also known as little blue penguins or fairy penguins, are the smallest species of penguin, standing about 12 to 13 inches tall. They are native to the coastal regions of New Zealand and Australia. Their distinctive blue feathers give them their name, and they have a white belly that helps camouflage them in the water. These penguins are excellent swimmers, using their flippers to propel themselves through the ocean in search of fish and other small marine creatures. Blue penguins are social birds, often found in large colonies, and they typically nest in burrows or under vegetation to protect their young from predators.