Chick-a-boom
PITTSBURGH — While hockey fans across the region are celebrating the return to the ice of Sidney Crosby, the National Aviary’s “other” Sidney is celebrating the arrival of his new offspring: a pair of African Penguins.
The chicks, which hatched Feb. 26 and 29, are a first for the aviary. They will be hand-raised by staff until the end of summer when they will join the 12 other African Penguins living in the Penguin Point exhibit.
The chicks are the first offspring for Sidney and his mate, Bette. The gender of the chicks will not be determined for another 12 to 16 weeks, but the naming of the chicks is already under way.
One chick has already been named for a sponsor. The naming rights for the second chick are being auctioned online with bidding ending at 8 p.m. Friday. The online auction can be accessed at www.Aviary.org.
The penguin chicks will be introduced to the public at a special ticketed hatch party from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $25 and available through the aviary website.
Beginning Saturday, the public will be able to view the chicks twice daily at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Penguin Point exhibit.
The aviary at 700 Arch St. is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $13 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, $11 for children ages 2 to 18, and free for children younger than 2. Call 412-323-7235.
