Two eggs are laid in one clutch (Pütz, 2007). Typically, two clutches a year yield four eggs per breeding pair (Pütz, 2007). Their nests are burrowed in the soil or tucked into bushy areas away from predators (Pütz, 2007).
Stages of Life
EGG LAYING
Incubation takes place for approximately 40 days as the mother and father alternate incubation periods (Stokes, 2014). While one clutch has two eggs, the eggs are usually laid around four days apart (Stokes, 2014). The two eggs hatch independent of one another in succession (Stokes, 2014).
INCUBATION
Juveniles do not enter sexual maturity until age four (Gallo, 2019). Until the time arrives, their plumage is less distinct than their elders (). It won't be until adulthood—at age one— that their beautiful white and black crescent upon their chest is displayed in full glory (Pütz, 2007).
For three months, "chicks" are fed by both parents via regurgitation (García-Borboroglu, 2006). Following this span of time, the young shed their soft down feathers (Pütz, 2007). Adults will strictly nurse their young—as opposed to alloparenting—due to limited available food resources (Stokes, 2014).
CHICK
JUVENILE
As adulthood arrives, the penguin molts its old plumage and welcomes its new tuxedo-like feathers (Fowler, 1995). During this stage of molting, they are unable to swim or forage in the ocean—due to their absence of oiled feathers (Fowler, 1995). After about three weeks, their new feathers have grown in and they are now able to swim (Gallo, 2019).
ADULT
Sexually matured penguins at age four, seen in a breeding pair (Fowler, 1995).