The Blue Penguin, Eudyptula minor, does not play so strong of a role in the natural environment. They do not control the fish species that they eat because they are in direct competition with off coast fishers that already deplete the fish population around Australia and New Zealand. However, during years when the normal fish populations are stressed they turn to squid to supply the majority of their diet (Reilly 115). This makes the penguins significantly weaker because of the lack of protein but allows fish populations to rebound in the following seasons.
Their main environmental role is that of nest provider. Often the penguins will share their nests with Shearwaters and Fairy Prions. However if a Shearwater attempts to assert its dominance over the burrow it will be "oust" by the penguin. Any abandoned Shearwater chick will die as the chick "will be brooded [by the Blue Penguin] but not fed" (Reilly 112).
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