Meet Pico and Douglas, Two Newest Rockhopper Penguins at Shedd

CHICAGO – Among familiar faces and notable names like Wellington, Edward, Annie and Isla, the newest rockhopper penguins at Shedd Aquarium have also received names. Pico and Douglas, both male rockhoppers, are the two newest penguins hatched at Shedd who continue to explore different spaces, bond with animal caretakers and come eye-to-eye with curious guests.

Both names came from suggestions provided by the caretakers that oversee the penguin colony at the aquarium. Pico is the Spanish word for “beak,” in honor of how rockhoppers are native to many Spanish-speaking countries in South America and was the winning choice by all aquarium staff that participated in a poll to vote. Douglas represents a settlement on East Falkland Island where rockhoppers can be found, and the name was selected by a Shedd supporter. Other name suggestions included Sebastian for the San Sebastian Bay in Argentina and Jason for Steeple Jason Island.

Pico and Douglas hatched in June 2024 in neighboring nests at Shedd. Since then, the newest arrivals have achieved many important milestones, including taking their first swim, eating independently from the animal care staff, meeting the other penguins in the colony and growing to the size of adult rockhoppers.

Each penguin has their own unique characteristics. For instance, when animal caretakers are in the water cleaning the penguin habitat, Pico will often hop in the water to join them. Douglas frequently interacts with enrichment and will stand on almost anything nearby, whether it’s toy saucers or his animal caretakers’ boots. Both Pico and Douglas can be seen swimming or socializing with Isla, another young rockhopper who hatched in 2023.

“Throughout the year, guests get a bird's eye view of the life cycle of a penguin – nesting, egg laying, hatching, chick raising and molting season when the birds shed their feathers – so our colony showcases this annual journey,” said Katy Roxbury, senior trainer at Shedd Aquarium. “Now Pico and Douglas serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, sparking curiosity and encouraging guests to help protect penguins worldwide.”

Guests can easily spot Pico and Douglas in their habitat in the Polar Play Zone because, unlike the other adult rockhoppers, the chicks do not have long yellow crest feathers above their eyes yet. These crest feathers grow after a penguin’s first regular molt at around one year old.

BACKGROUND: Shedd Aquarium cares for two species of penguins, rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) and Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). The aquarium has had success in breeding both species in the past but has put a special emphasis on rockhopper breeding, as that species is underrepresented in zoos and aquariums.

Southern rockhopper penguin populations in zoos and aquariums are managed through a Species Survival Plan with 16 participating Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities in the United States. Shedd welcomed its first rockhopper chick in eight years, Isla, in 2023.

Shedd also actively contributes to penguin research and conservation efforts globally, applying animal care expertise and scientific resources to better understand how penguins in the wild are affected by climate change.

VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos and broadcast quality video here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/guest/fs?v=8e70638b5a5e6fada06c&C=50

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Video Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Sam Cejtin