Gentoo penguins get ready for nesting season at Edinburgh Zoo

Gentoo courtship involves finding a nesting site and males presenting pebbles as gifts

Over 100 gentoo penguins at Edinburgh Zoo are getting ready for breeding season.

Nest rings have been put in place by staff as the penguins waited patiently to pick the best spots.

Gentoo courtship involves locating a nesting site, with males presenting pebbles as gifts to their partner for the season while bowing and braying.

Females lay their eggs in March, with the first chicks hatching in April and May.

Over 100 penguins are getting ready to nestRZSS
Over 100 penguins are getting ready to nest

Among those already coupled up are visitor favourites Muffin and Mittens, with lots of partner wooing still to take place.

Pebbles will be introduced in the coming weeks, with visitors invited to paint their own pebble to be chosen (or rejected) by the penguins.

Nest rings have been put in place by staffRZSS
Nest rings have been put in place by staff

Visitors looking to visit Edinburgh Zoo and paint their own pebble can book online and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets

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Last updated Feb 17th, 2026 at 12:38

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