It's not accurate to say that female penguins always hunt food first. In most penguin species, both males and females share the responsibility of hunting and feeding their chicks.

Here's why the idea might be mistaken:

* Incubation: Male penguins typically take on the responsibility of incubating the eggs while the female goes out to sea to hunt for food. This doesn't mean the female always hunts first, but it does mean she's away from the nest for a longer period.

* Sharing responsibility: Once the chicks hatch, both parents take turns hunting and feeding the young. The female may be gone for longer stretches initially due to the need to build up a food reserve, but both parents are involved in the process.

It's important to note that penguin species vary in their nesting and feeding behaviors. Some species, like the Emperor penguin, have more distinct roles, with the male incubating the egg for the entire duration and the female being solely responsible for finding food during that time.

In general, penguins are cooperative breeders, and both parents contribute to the success of their young.