Love-search penguins purloining pebbles

As the mating season begins, gentoo penguins have been pinching pebbles from rival nests.

With a stealthy glance over their shoulder, the birds quickly waddle to their neighbours’ nests, steal a stone and run back to their own breeding ground.

But as the number of break-ins increase, the gentoos have become suspicious of their fellow colony members. If they notice a rival moving in they quickly run back to defend their nests.

The colony of 10, which arrived at the attraction last year, are in the middle of their first mating season at the aquarium.

Males declare their interest in a female by selecting and presenting a “love token” in the form of a pebble. If it is accepted, the couple then begin collecting more pebbles to line their doughnut-shaped nest.

The birds build their stone nests to elevate and protect their eggs.

Smooth pebbles are “like gold dust” because they are easy to pick up and comfortable to lie on, say those who tend to the birds.

No eggs have been seen yet but breeders are hoping that a few will turn up in the next few weeks.