Perdy and Pedro the penguin chicks

Two very cute penguin chicks at Paradise Park are being hand-reared by keepers.

Keeper Bev Tanner explains “Pedro and Perdy are being hand-reared as often in a nest with two chicks only one is successfully raised by the parents. As this is an Endangered species it is very worthwhile for us to take the second chick and rear it to increase our flock.”

As the two chicks grown they will gradually be introduced to the main colony. If the weather is fine then they will spend time in the nursery area near the penguin pool. It will be July when they may have their first swim, and then visitors will be able to see them out and about at the twice daily penguin feeding and talk times.

These are Humboldt’s Penguin chicks. When chicks are in the nest they have fluffy grey down feathers. It takes about three months for them to leave their nests, and by this time they have develop the waterproof plumage they need for swimming. Juveniles are grey and white, only developing the distinctive black and white penguin plumage at a year old. The pattern of dark speckles on the adult lower chest, are unique to each penguin, identifying each individual.