Shedd Aquarium has named its two newest rockhopper penguins — Pico and Douglas.
These birds, who hatched in June 2024, have quickly grown to the size of adult rockhoppers, though their iconic yellow crest feathers have yet to appear.
Pico, whose name means “beak” in Spanish, honors the penguin’s South American roots, while Douglas is named after a settlement on East Falkland Island, home to many rockhopper penguins. The names were chosen through staff suggestions and support from Shedd enthusiasts.
Both penguins have taken their first swim, started eating independently and have begun bonding with the other penguins in the colony, the Shedd Aquarium said in a release.
As the youngest members of the rockhopper colony, Pico and Douglas stand out for their lack of yellow crest feathers. This feature will develop after their first molt, usually around their first year.
“Shedd’s penguin colony offers guests a chance to see the full life cycle of a penguin — from nesting to hatching to molting season,” Katy Roxbury, senior trainer at Shedd Aquarium, said in a statement.
Shedd Aquarium participates in the Species Survival Plan for rockhopper penguins, a program involving 16 U.S. zoos and aquariums to protect and manage the species. The aquarium also researches how climate change is affecting wild penguin populations, using these findings to guide conservation efforts.
Guests can see Pico and Douglas in the Polar Play Zone, where they share their habitat with other penguins.
