"Tiny skull fossils unveil Earth's cutest extinct penguin species"

Fossilized skulls of an extinct penguin species, named Wilson's little penguin (Eudyptula wilsonae), have been discovered in New Zealand. The skulls, belonging to an adult and a juvenile, closely resemble those of the living little penguins, which are the smallest penguin species today. The findings suggest that the genus originated in New Zealand. The discovery provides insights into the evolutionary resilience of the little penguin lineage and helps fill in gaps in the country's ecosystem history. Little penguins are currently listed as "least concern" by the IUCN Red List, but some populations have faced challenges due to climate change. The same research team also recently discovered the largest penguin species to have ever existed.