Magellanic Penguin Chicks Hatch at Shedd Aquarium

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: May 17, 2021 3:20 am

Magellanic Penguin Chicks Shedd Aquarium

A Magellanic penguin chick is held by a keeper at the Shedd Aquarium

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

As the penguin nesting season continues at Shedd Aquarium they have provided the first look at the two new additions to the Magellanic penguin colony. Currently the chicks are being cared for by their parents behind the scenes.

The first hatchling emerged from its egg on Thursday April 29th, 2021 with the second joining it on Wednesday, May 5th 2021. Since then the parents have been incubating the chicks and keeping them well fed.

A Magellanic penguin chick at the Shedd Aquarium

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Each day keepers at the aquarium conduct a check-up to ensure the chicks are growing well by collecting weights ad monitoring their developmental milestones.

Outside of these checks keepers keep an eye on them from afar allowing the parents to continue bonding.

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The most important milestone for care staff to keep track of is their weight. At hatching the chicks currently known as Chick 426 ad Chick 427 weighed in at 89g (3.1oz) which has continued to steadily increase.

Magellanic penguins take two to three months to reach their adult size. During this time the care staff will continue monitoring their activity and hydration levels.

A Magellanic penguin chick is held by a keeper at the Shedd Aquarium

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

These new arrivals support a breeding program in partnership with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Known as the Species Survival Plan it aims to create a genetically diverse population of these animals in captivity.

This back up population is important for this species which is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Last year Shedd Aquarium welcomed four Magellanic penguin chicks and it is still possible that more chicks will be welcomed this year.