The breeding biology of the Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), including the timing of laying, brooding and fledging, foraging trip lengths during incubation and brooding and diet in relation to breeding success, was investigated at Volunteer Beach in the north east of the Falkland Islands during the 2001/02 breeding season. Egg-laying dates were between 12 October and 1 November, with an overall hatching success of 65%. The length of foraging trips during incubation ranged from 2-15 days. Chicks were provisioned daily during the 23 day brood period, and then at a mean interval of two days during the unattended period, until fledging occurred in late January and early February. Successful pairs laid significantly earlier and undertook shorter foraging trips during incubation and brooding compared to unsuccessful pairs. The mean breeding success of 0.2 chicks/pair was low compared to the ten year mean at the study site and was possibly due to a lower abundance of squid, which is the preferred food for Magellanic penguin chicks in the Falkland Islands. The results obtained are discussed with regard to the breeding biology of the Magellanic Penguin on the mainland of South America. However, further research in subsequent seasons is required to determine whether the observed differences in breeding biology compared to elsewhere in the species range is typical behavior or the result of the changed prey availability.