Meet Our Penguins: Humboldt

Posted September 23, 2024

Posted By D_oceanworld

Meet Our Penguins: Humboldt

Say Cheese! Meet our Waddle

At Dingle Oceanworld, our Humboldt penguins each have a character all their own! From the loud and proud Babybell to the wise and patient Romany, our colony—or waddle—of penguins are a lively bunch. With each sporting a unique wingband, it’s easy for visitors to follow along and get to know the quirks of these fascinating birds. Whether they’re busy building nests or making a splash in the pool, each one has a story to tell. Let’s introduce you to the stars of our Penguin Coast!

Babybell

Babybell is now partnered with one of the first chicks hatched at Oceanworld, choosing a younger mate. He takes great pride in his nest-building skills and is extremely loud and vocal—often the reason visitors think we have a donkey in the colony! He’s always busy arranging his home, making sure it’s just right for his family.
Wingband: black/white

Blue

Blue is a wandering soul, aloof and unpredictable. One minute he’s the keepers best friend, the next he’s elusive for days, not wanting anything to do with anyone. His mysterious behaviour keeps everyone guessing where he’ll turn up next.
Wingband: blue

Brie

Brie is the most outstanding mother, always giving her all to raising her chicks. She’s patient and cooperative with the keepers, often making it easy for them to weigh and check on her chicks. Her calm, nurturing nature makes her a cornerstone of the colony.
Wingband:

Cáis

Cáis is named after the Irish word for cheese and shares her father Sadsack’s brazen attitude! She’s strong-willed, unafraid to stand up to the males, and even actively fights them when needed. Her fiery personality ensures she’s never overlooked in the colony.
Wingband: pink

Cheddar

Cheddar is the runt of last year’s chicks, a quiet and docile penguin who loves to “help” the keepers when they’re cleaning the pool, though she often gets in the way more than anything! She’s a gentle soul who enjoys watching the action from the sidelines.
Wingband: pink/black

Edam

Edam, one of the most boisterous of the group, is a dominant boy and always on the move with his twin, Parmesan. Together, they are the more active of the two sets of twins. Edam’s energy is infectious, and he often leads his brother into mischief.
Wingband: green/red

Feta

One of this year’s chicks, Feta is a large but quiet boy who enjoys staying in his box for peace and quiet. He’s calmer than his more active sibling, preferring the quiet life away from the commotion of the colony. His serene nature makes him a bit of a mystery to visitors.
Wingband: blue/pink

Gary

Gary is the top dog of the Humboldt colony, a large and strong bird who commands respect. As the dominant male, he’s a bit of a ladies’ man, often trying to court other penguins’ partners while his own mate is minding the nest! Despite his cheeky antics, he is fiercely protective of his own family.
Wingband: green

Halloumi

Halloumi, Feta’s twin sister, is the shyest penguin. She spends a lot of time floating around the ramp, rarely deep diving, and prefers staying close to her mum. Her reserved nature makes her a bit of a mystery to visitors, but she’s happy in her quiet corner.
Wingband: red/white

Leicester

Leicester is a firm favourite, a very friendly penguin who enjoys following keepers and watching what they’re doing. She takes it upon herself to teach the younger penguins colony life and once even tried to steal a chick to become a mother. Her nurturing side shines through even though she doesn’t have her own partner.
Wingband: grey 

Mozzarella

Mozzarella, one of the first chicks born at Oceanworld, is a bit of a wild card. She can be a bit unpredictable and is often moody, not giving much time to the keepers but surprisingly loves to play with visitors through the glass at the pool. Despite her unpredictable nature, she is always full of energy and excitement.
Wingband: light blue

Parmesan

Parmesan, Edam’s twin, shares his brother’s active and boisterous nature. The two of them are constantly out and about, exploring their surroundings. Parmesan’s curious nature makes him one of the most adventurous penguins in the colony.
Wingband: blue/white

Ricotta

Ricotta spends most of his time in the pool and rarely bothers to come out. He’s the fastest swimmer in the colony but still feels the need to visit his mum’s nest now and then. His love of the water makes him one of the most graceful penguins to watch.
Wingband: light green

Romany

As the oldest Humboldt female, Romany is smart and knows exactly how to get what she wants. She sets clear boundaries and has found that staying in one spot when fish are thrown guarantees her a full belly without the rush! Her wisdom and patience make her a respected elder among the group.
Wingband: yellow/blue

Sadsack

Sadsack is our resident grumpy old man, showing his age and very fussy about how things are done—especially when it comes to feeding time, where everything must be just right! He values his own space and is known for being a bit of a pain, with his favourite pastime being nipping at the back of the keepers’ knees. Despite his grumpy exterior, there’s a sense of routine and order that comforts him.
Wingband: blue/green

Wensleydale

Wensleydale is the quiet partner of the dominant male, Gary. Unlike her bold counterpart, she prefers to stay in the background, often letting Gary take the spotlight. She’s flighty and quick to panic, always on high alert. Even though she’s nervous, she has a calm and gentle presence that helps balance out the dynamics of the colony.
Wingband: red