The Shedd Aquarium has shared new photos of its baby penguins, which hatched in May. (Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez)
Like any proud new parent, the Shedd Aquarium is sharing adorable photos of its newest arrivals: four Magellanic penguin chicks, all of which hatched in mid-to-late May.
The baby birds are all healthy and hitting important development milestones, including gaining weight, according to a statement from the Shedd.
In the coming months, the Shedd’s animal care team will determine the sex of the chicks, and then name the hatchlings.
Native to South America, Magellanic penguins are found mainly in Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands. Their migration routes can take the birds into Brazil and Peru.
Magellanic penguins are one of 18 species of the bird. (Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez) The four new arrivals are the most Magellanic penguins ever born at the Shedd following the annual breeding season. (Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez) Adult Magellanic penguins can swim at speeds reaching 15 mph. (Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez) Magellanic penguins are named for the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, whose crew spotted the bird while sailing around the tip of South America. (Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez) Magellanic penguins have distinctive markings that differentiate them from other species. Note the black bands on their white bellies. (Flickr / dfaulder)
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