The smallest penguin species is the little (also called little blue) penguin. These birds grow to 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.48 centimeters) tall and weigh only 2 to 3 lbs. (0.90 to 1.36 kilograms).

The smallest is the Little Blue Penguin, which is only about 16 inches. iStock/Fabiano_Teixeira. 3. The fastest species is the Gentoo Penguin, which can reach swimming speeds up to 22 mph.

The Fairy or Little Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin species, stands at 13-17 inches and weighs just over 1 kg. These adorable birds inhabit New Zealand and Southern Australia.