African Penguin Chicks Born At Maryland Zoo

BALTIMORE, MD — The first African penguin chicks of the breeding season have arrived at the Maryland Zoo, which is home to the largest colony of African penguins in North America. The zoo in Baltimore is home to almost 100 penguins, including the latest hatchlings, officials said.

The baby birds were born at the end of October, according to Jen Kottyan, the zoo's avian collection and conservation manager.

"We have more eggs that will hatch out soon," she said in a statement the zoo released Friday to announce the arrival of the baby birds.

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African penguin breeding season runs from mid-September through February at the zoo's Penguin Coast. It takes around 40 days for African penguin eggs to hatch.

During incubation, both parents take turns sitting on the eggs, and the sharing of responsibilities continues.

"Once the chick hatches, they rotate care," Kottyan said. For two to three days, one parent will protect, feed and warm the chick, then they switch off, she said.

A chick is about the size of a chicken egg, and it is covered in dark gray down, according to zoo officials. At three months old, the birds will be fully grown, reaching about 6 pounds, their fluffy down replaced by waterproof feathers.

Officials say the chicks are not on public display but both young and adult penguins are part of the Penguin Coast, which provides feeding sessions as part of admission and behind-the-scenes tours for an additional cost.

The Maryland Zoo is a leader in African penguin conservation, part of multiple projects to help the animals through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. African penguins are an endangered species, and there are only an estimated 52,000 worldwide, according to the Maryland Zoo.