Already have an account?
Get back to the

Meet the Bronx Zoo’s First Fairy Penguin in 120 Years

https://www.youtube.com/embed/XrzjC7ejGX4

This little fluff ball! The Bronx Zoo just welcomed an impossibly tiny baby penguin into its community. Even sweeter? It’s from the little penguin species — also called “fairy penguins” — and it’s the first one to be born at the zoo in its 120-year existence.

PHOTOS: Celebrities With Their Pets

The chick, who can be seen in this YouTube video shared by the Bronx Zoo, was born on May 10. When the baby was weighed three days later, he rang in at 44.5 grams — barely a tenth of a pound. While that’s indeed a small start, little penguins, the tiniest of all 18 penguin species (hence the name), tend only to grow to just over a foot tall. Their max weight? Three pounds.

Baby Penguin
The Bronx Zoo’s new baby fairy penguin

PHOTOS: This ‘100 Years of Kitten Beauty’ Video Will Make You So Happy

The breed — additionally known as “little blue penguins” for their metallic navy fur color — are native to coastal southern Australia and New Zealand. Once little penguins lay eggs, both parents care for and incubate the eggs. Chicks typically are born weighing 25 grams (so this one’s a little giant!). After about 50 days, they lose their downy plumage in favor of waterproof feathers.

With the exception of the newest chick, all of the little penguins at the Bronx Zoo were born at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, then brought to NYC as part of a breeding program in 2015.

The little chick can already be seen at the Bronx Zoo, where he (Or she! The gender has yet to be announced) will live.

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!