1-11-2012 Baby Penguin Zebra Fledgling

[cindy]

Today I have one of 3 pairs of penguins presents their new fledgling...one of the other pairs have 3 fledglings out also.

Baby penguins are interesting since when they fledge they look like little normal grays. The tear will molt away leaving a bright orange cheek patch. the tummy and chest and around the cheek patch become bright white.

This little one I am assuming is a boy based on it's hints of black in the bar area. Female fledglings often have an apparent light silver cheek patch in the nest that eventually molts away to a bright white. The adult is pictured at the top, fledgling below.

[lovemyfinch]

Sweet little fuzzy wuzzy

[finchmix22]

How cute!

[Dayna]

I just love zebra babies. They are so cute.

[procfamily]

thanks! I've been wondering what baby penguins looked like! He is darling!

[L in Ontario]

He looks 'squishable'!

[dfcauley]

Cute! Cute!! I love the adult!!

[summert85]

awww Congras cindy, he is stunning.

[cindy]

Thanks everyone! The 3 in the other cage I am supplement handfeeding...their lovely parents did this with a clutch prior to the summer....once the chicks fledged they stopped feeding. It is almost like once they leave the box (the box is down) the parents must think their job is done. Luckily the babies are picking at foods, I am grinding pellets and adding the powder to the handfeeding formula. I may stick their eggs under BC next time!

All my other families are doing great but this pair I knew to expect this.

[CandoAviary]

Cute chick picture
I always found my penquins to be some of the harder to breed. Seems for some reason the parents were never as dutiful as they should be. Hope the others start eating well soon.

[cindy]

One of my pair (the one mentioned above) will do great until the fledging point. The other pair will tae a bit to get going and will give 3 to 4 chicK. The third pair sit, feed and raise with no problem. I have to agree with you Candace, I found the same true....maybe that is why they are not very common.

I have 5 more in a separate flight...2 pairs and 1 male (I finished handfeeding him out) all offspring from the three pairs. This is the result of trying to get them to breed since the spring.

All my other mutations are very good parents.

[CandoAviary]

So maybe it wasn't just mine that did not breed so well. I had several different bloodlines but it didn't seem to matter...all were sluggish breeders and then when they did weren't the greatest parents.However, I haven't had the penguins in years. I am now finding the black face hard to get to breed... but at least once they do they are very reliable parents.
Not all zebras breed like rabbits...some of the mutations can be much more difficult than gouldians or waxbills.

[cindy]

I agree!!!!!

[ac12]

I had one male penguin that the first year, every clutch were duds.
But he did fine in year 2.
But my penguin breeding is on hold, because I'm out of space.
I'm trying to get my gouldians breeding, and I need that cage.

From one particular penguin male, I would always get at least one WHITE hen from him. Maybe a white somewhere back in the family tree.

[cindy]

Penguins are adorable, when I saw them at the show last year I grabbed them up quickly...we don't see a lot of them that often.