Penguins' love stories unfold this spring at Shedd Aquarium

Spring has arrived at Shedd Aquarium, and with it comes the annual nesting season for the aquarium’s lively penguin colony. Visitors over the next several weeks have a rare opportunity to witness the natural courtship and nest-building behaviors of Shedd’s rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, offering a unique glimpse into the fascinating life cycle of these remarkable birds.

This time of year, the penguins are busy gathering materials — including rocks, lavender stalks, and pieces of hose, provided by Shedd’s animal care team to simulate natural nesting environments. Observant guests may catch penguins preening one another, a tender behavior that strengthens the bond between potential mates. In the bustling colony, male penguins often take the lead by carefully constructing nests to attract a mate or solidify an existing relationship. Sometimes, teamwork takes over, with both partners pitching in — and occasional rock thefts from neighboring nests adding a bit of playful drama.

Among the stars of this year’s season are Pico and Douglas, two young rockhopper penguins who hatched during last year’s nesting season. Their presence is a hopeful sign for Shedd’s participation in the broader Species Survival Plan for southern rockhopper penguins, a vulnerable species recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While not every egg results in a chick, the nesting season remains a critical part of penguin conservation efforts.

Inside Shedd, subtle environmental changes help guide the penguins’ instincts. Animal caretakers carefully adjust the lighting in the habitat to mimic the seasonal shifts the birds would experience in their native South Atlantic environments. These cues, combined with access to nesting materials, encourage the penguins to engage in natural breeding behaviors.

Once an egg is laid, the penguin parents share the duties of incubation and chick-rearing, exemplifying the close partnerships that characterize many penguin species. Shedd’s ongoing breeding program plays a vital role in maintaining healthy populations under human care while advancing conservation research.

Beyond the walls of the aquarium, Shedd’s penguin conservation efforts extend across the globe, where the institution’s experts study how climate change is impacting wild penguin populations. Every successful nesting season at Shedd not only brings joy to visitors but also supports critical scientific work to protect penguins for generations to come.

For more information on Shedd Aquarium’s penguin colony and conservation initiatives, visit sheddaquarium.org.