Belfast Zoo has said it it is “overjoyed” with the birth three new Gentoo Penguins last month.
With flamboyant red-orange beaks, white-feather caps, and peach-coloured feet, Gentoo Penguins stand out against their “pebble beach” habitat and are a “firm favourite” with visitors.
Standing at 30 inches and weighing 12 pounds, they are the penguin world’s third largest members. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts, and with the new arrivals the zoo now has 47 Gentoo penguins in the flock.
Capable of reaching speeds of up to 22 miles an hour they are the fastest-swimming penguins in the world.
Zoo manager, Alyn Cairns said: ”The penguins are always a firm favourite with our visitors, especially the underwater viewing area where you can admire their swimming skills!
“We have no doubt that the chicks will be extremely popular with visitors this summer. Call by the penguin habitat at 2.30pm every day to see them enjoying their ‘fish suppers’ and to catch a glimpse of the three little chicks.”
Gentoo parents are highly nurturing, both parents work to build a nest of stones, grass, and feathers.
The mother then lays her eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for more than a month. Hatchlings remain in the nest for up to a month, and the parents alternate brooding duties.
Although not on the endangered list they face threats from pollution, overfishing, and industrial development near their breeding sites, making breeding programmes like Belfast Zoo’s vital for their conservation.