Video: Shedd Penguins Build Rock Nests, Hoping To Attract ~Lovers~

By Mae Rice in News on Mar 23, 2016 6:55PM

© Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Human spring started on Sunday—but more importantly, penguin nesting season started Wednesday. In the Shedd Aquarium’s penguin habitat, penguins are building adorable, rock-hard nests out of sticks and (literally) rocks.

Nest-building is an annual ritual penguins perform in anticipation of mating season. Male penguins search the habitat for rocks that will intrigue female penguins. Some proceed to build giant rock-nests, while other, chiller penguins take a minimalist approach.

The video of the nest-building process, below, is adorable—love an ungainly penguin waddle!—but also, listen. It’s 2016, and humans have built computers and smartphones. When are penguins going to start building their nests out of comfy materials? When will penguins invent a penguin-couch?