Penguins reproduce by laying eggs. The breeding season for most penguin species begins in the austral spring (around September to November) when they gather in large colonies on land, often near the coast.

Males will begin to court females by displaying their physical prowess and finding a suitable nesting site. Once a pair has formed, they will mate and the female will lay a single egg. The egg is incubated by both parents in turns, with one bird sitting on the egg while the other goes out to hunt for food.

After about 30 to 40 days, the egg hatches and a fluffy chick emerges. The parents continue to take turns caring for the chick, feeding it regurgitated food and keeping it warm with their body heat. As the chick grows, both parents will leave it alone for longer periods of time to forage for food until it is able to fend for itself.

Penguins generally mate for life, returning to the same breeding colony and often the same mate each year.