National Aviary welcomes new endangered African Penguin chick

PITTSBURGH — The National Aviary is ringing in the New Year with a new addition.

An endangered African Penguin hatched to first-time parents Buddy and Holly. The new chick hatched on Jan. 3, making it the eleventh African Penguin to hatch at the National Aviary.

“It is a thrill to start off this new year on such a hopeful note. Every hatching is important, and the fact that African Penguins are endangered makes the arrival of this new hatchling all the more special,” said Cheryl Tracy, Executive Director of the National Aviary.

You can now customize your WPXI News App to receive Allegheny County news alerts. CLICK HERE to find out how.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 4

WPXI BABY AFRICAN PENGUIN The National Aviary is ringing in the New Year with a new addition. An endangered African Penguin hatched to first-time parents Buddy and Holly. The new chick hatched on Jan. 3, making it the eleventh African Penguin to hatch at the National Aviary. (NATIONAL AVIARY)

Parents Buddy and Holly are raising their new chick, sharing brooding and feeding duties in the Aviary’s Penguin Point habitat.

Right now, the new chick is the size of a lime and weighs about 2 ounces, but it will grow fast. It’s covered in soft, downy fuzz, but in about 3 months it’ll have waterproofed feathers and will be fully grown. That’s when we’ll find out the sex of the penguin.

At that time, a DNA feather test will be performed to learn the sex of the penguin.

Visitors can see Buddy and Holly caring for their new chick in Penguin Point when visiting the National Aviary this weekend.

RAW VIDEO: Sneak Peek Of New 'Penguin Point' Exhibit At Pittsburgh's National Aviary RAW VIDEO: Sneak Peek Of New 'Penguin Point' Exhibit At Pittsburgh's National Aviary

Cox Media Group