New penguin chicks are going strong after summer debut

An adorable pair of Humboldt penguins have joined the (beach) party over the summer months, after being born to experienced parents Leaf and Salsa back in April.

Already favourites with the keeper team, visitors got their first glimpse of chicks Bud and Spud as they waddled their way out of their nest burrow and made their debut back in June.

It wasn’t long until the dynamic duo started exploring more of their brand new surroundings, taking to the water and enjoying a swim with older sister Guacamole and the rest of the penguins for their first dip in early July.

Having successfully navigated these first few milestones with ease, at nearly six month old the growing youngsters will soon start becoming more independent and rely less on their parents for food, comfort and protection.

Keeper Liv explains a bit of their journey so far...

SEEING THE NEW PENGUINS

The newest additions might be easier to spot around Humboldt Harbour for the moment as they still have some of their fluffy brown to grey colouring, which they will lose during their first moult at around one years old.

They’ll then develop the distinctive pattern of black and white feathers across their chest and abdomen which – along with the pink flesh around the beak and eyes – are the telltale markings of the Humboldt species.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Humboldt Penguins are unique in the way that they build their nest by digging burrows into large deposits of sea bird and seal excrement, known as guano. The penguins at the park have the option to use artificial nest boxes but they still prefer to dig their own nests into the hillside, which is exactly what this year’s parents have done.
• A penguin’s gestation period is around two months. Once laid the expectant penguins will take turns in incubating the eggs in shifts, usually lasting on average two – three days, so that one or other of the couple is able to forage for food, with both parents sharing the duties equally.
• Each pair has a nest that they will return to each year and just as they would in the wild, they mark them with their own guano so that they can easily recognise it.