How do chinstrap penguins breed?

Answer 1

Breeding takes place from late October to February. Couples build circular stone nests on icebergs, within large colonies that include other chinstraps, but also Adélie and gentoo penguins. Parents take turns sitting on the eggs---they switch places every five to 10 days. In a little over a month, the eggs hatch. The chicks grow quickly, and are covered by a soft, gray down. They huddle against their parents for warmth and protection. Unlike some other penguin species in which the strongest chick is favoured, chinstrap parents treat both chicks equally. When they are 20 to 30 days old, the young form groups with other penguins their own age. By the time they reach two months, their waterproof feathers have grown in and the chicks are old enough to be self-sufficient.