The Northside just got two new little neighbors who have no problem with this chilly March weather!

Two baby penguin chicks hatched on February 26 and 29 and are the first to be born at the National Aviary.

“We are excited to welcome the first African penguin chicks hatched at the National Aviary,” said Patrick Mangus, National Aviary Executive Director. “Since the opening of our Penguin Point exhibit in 2009, more than 350,000 visitors to the National Aviary have experienced these amazing, personable birds. We’re certain the hatching of these two African penguin chicks will aid our efforts to educate the public on the work being done here and around the world to protect this endangered species.”

The first chick will be named Tribby, after the Penguin Point presenting sponsor, Trib Total Media, but the naming rights for Tribby’s sibling are being auctioned online at www.aviary.org. The auction will close at 8 pm on March 30.

The penguin chicks will be introduced to the public at a special ticketed evening event on Friday, March 30. From 6 – 8 pm, attendees can view the new penguin chicks, meet some of the Aviary’s other African penguins, and participate in hands-on activities around the Aviary. Attendees can also bid to win an autographed Sidney Crosby jersey, as well as a special family painting created by African penguins Sidney and Bette and their chicks. Tickets for the Hatch Party are $25 and are available for purchase through the National Aviary website.

Beginning on Saturday, March 31, the public will have the opportunity to view the penguin chicks twice daily at 11 am and 2:30 pm in the Penguin Point exhibit. The chicks will join the 12 other African penguins in the Penguin Point exhibit at the end of the summer.