One half of a same-sex penguin couple whose love “captivated the world” has died at the age of 12.

Sphen leaves behind fellow gentoo penguin Magic around six years after staff at an aquarium in Sydney noticed them building a nest together.

The staff gave them an egg to incubate before the pair went on to become symbols for same-sex relationships.

Aquarium staff took Magic to see Sphen’s body after he died earlier this month and said the bird immediately started singing, followed shortly afterwards by the other 45 penguins in the colony.

Gentoo penguins, which have an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years, can make sounds ranging from honks to brays which their partners can usually identify from the voices of other penguins in the group.

Rachel Dilly, general manager at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, said Magic will “soon prepare for his first breeding season without Sphen”.

The couple’s love had inspired a float at Sydney’s world-famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

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They also featured in the Netflix series Atypical – a comedy drama where the main character has an obsession with penguins.

Ms Dilly said: “Sphen and Magic’s love story captivated the world and it’s been an honour to welcome local and international fans.”

In tributes on the Aquarium website, people spoke about the happiness the penguin lovers had brought to their lives.

One wrote: “Sphen’s gonna be having fun surfing the rainbow waves up there.

“Penguin superstar, Sphen, thank you for being you. We will miss you.”

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