Introducing Sidney, Pittsburgh’s Newest Penguin

PITTSBURGH – April 16, 2008

There’s a new penguin in town, and visitors to the National Aviary can meet him at his first public appearance on Saturday, April 19. Named in celebration of the Pittsburgh Penguins and player Sidney Crosby, Sidney the African penguin will greet visitors from 11:30 am to 1 pm, and again from 2:30 pm to 4 pm.

Sidney’s big reveal will be immediately preceded by a penguin parade. Patrick, Stanley, Elvis and Simon, Sidney’s new roommates, will lead the way to the stage where Sidney will make his first official Pittsburgh debut.

Weighing in at just 60 grams when he hatched February 21 at the Erie Zoo, Sidney joins the Aviary’s team of penguins as an ambassador for his species. With their wild populations in steep decline due to over-fishing, loss of nesting sites, pollution and oil spills, African penguins were recently listed as an Endangered species.

“Sidney is very curious and very friendly, and we anticipate that he will be a hit with the many penguin fans who visit the National Aviary,” says Aviary CEO Linda Dickerson. “Following this Saturday’s debut, Sidney will make appearances at our indoor bird shows, and during the summer will be featured in FliteZone, our outdoor bird show. He will also be working with trainers in the coming months to prepare for eventual participation in Penguin Connection, a special program that gives small groups of visitors the opportunity to book a private educational encounter with the Aviary’s penguins.”

Now measuring approximately 15 inches in height, Sidney is still showing some of his baby fuzz. His blue-gray juvenile feathers will turn brownish gray before his adult plumage – the signature black and white penguin tuxedo – comes in at approximately 18 months of age.

Visitors can meet Sidney Saturday, April 19, 11:30 am to 1 pm, and 2:30 pm to 4 pm. The penguin parade takes place at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Guests will enjoy penguin-themed treats and will have the opportunity to make enrichment toys for Sidney and the other birds at the Aviary.

After his debut on Saturday, Sidney will make appearances during the Aviary’s regularly scheduled Flights of the North Shore and Penguin Premiere events, as well as during the summer outdoor bird show FliteZone. Call 412.323.7235 or log on to www.aviary.org for a complete schedule of programs.


The National Aviary is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors; $7.50 children 2 and up. Under 2 admitted free. More information by calling 412.323.7235 or clicking www.aviary.org.


Penguin Fun Facts:

• All species of penguins live south of the Equator. There are no penguins at the North Pole.
  
• With 70-80 feathers per square inch of skin, penguins have more feathers than most other birds. Their feathers overlap, just like the shingles on a house. This dense layer of feathers, together with a coating of waterproof oil, provides protection from icy cold water.
  
• African penguins are found on the west coast of South Africa. Both the male and female African penguin help to incubate the eggs, which are kept in a burrow dug into penguin guano (bird poop) to protect them from the hot sun. Both parents guard the nest and feed the hatchlings regurgitated food for about 40 days.
  
• African penguins swim at speeds up to 15 miles per hour and can dive to a depth of 426 feet.
  
• Many birds have hollow bones that help them to be light enough to fly. Penguins, however, have dense, solid bones to help them dive in the water.
  
• Penguins are equipped with a pair of built in “swim goggles” called a nictitating membrane. This third eyelid is clear and prevents saltwater from entering the penguin’s eyes while it dives for fish.
  
• In the 1920s there were over 1 million African penguins in existence. Today there are only about 100,000 of these birds left in the wild, and recently African penguins were placed on the Endangered Species list. Over fishing, loss of nesting sites, pollution and oil spills are the main causes of their decline today. The National Aviary is involved in the conservation of African penguins in the wild, and visitors can opt to contribute to international efforts to protect the species during daily bird shows and other special events.
  
• Penguins eat close to 14 percent of their body weight each day. That would be like a person eating 85 double cheeseburgers in one day!
  
• Young African penguins are gray for the first year of their life –their distinctive “tuxedo” markings appear at approximately 18 months of age.
  
• Every African penguin has a unique pattern of black feathers on its white stomach. The pattern is as distinct as a human fingerprint.