Royal Surprise for keepers at Birdland

Right Royal Rumpus as Birdland Discovers King Penguin ‘Maggie’ is Actually ‘Magnus’

Keepers at Birdland Park & Gardens in the Cotswolds have had a royal surprise after discovering their ‘female’ king penguin, Maggie, who was brought in to boost their captive breeding programme eight years ago, is actually a male.

After receiving DNA sexing results, the penguin has been officially renamed Magnus, adding an unexpected twist to the life of England’s only breeding colony of king penguins.

Magnus, a 10-year-old penguin bred in Odense, Denmark, arrived at Birdland in 2016 as part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (EAZA) EEP conservation programme.

Initially sexed as female, Magnus seemed to settle in well, even catching the attention of fellow penguin Frank. But when keepers observed ‘Maggie’ attempting to mate with Frank, suspicions grew.

A feather sample was sent for DNA testing, and the truth was revealed: Magnus is definitely male.

While this revelation won’t dampen Magnus’s spirits, it does mean a reshuffle in Birdland’s breeding plans.

The colony’s only confirmed female, Bill, is a venerable 30 years old – far beyond breeding age. She’s also closely related to two of the three males, leaving Seth, the world’s oldest living king penguin at 39, as her sole option.

To ensure the long-term success of the colony, Birdland is now awaiting the arrival of a young female king penguin from Germany.

The process is part of the EEP programme and will take time, but keepers are hopeful for future breeding success once their newest feathered resident joins the colony.

In the meantime, Magnus is thriving as Birdland’s newest eligible bachelor.

Visitors can meet him alongside the rest of the colony, which includes Seth, Frank, and Bill, in the park’s famous Penguin Shore exhibit.

Birdland is one of only two places in the UK to house king penguins and the only one with a breeding colony, making this discovery even more significant.