Macaroni Penguin: Facts, Information, Photos and More About
Macaroni Penguin - Eudyptes Chrysolophus
Distinguishing features
Macaroni penguins could only be confused with Royal penguins. Macaronis and Royals are the largest of the crested penguins and both have orange yellow and black crests that join on the top of the head. The Royals usually have white chins while Macaroni penguins have black chins.
Sub-species
There are no generally recognized sub-species of the Macaroni penguin.
Height & Weight
Macaroni penguins are typically 70 cm tall. Weights vary through the year between 4 and 5.5 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.
Photographed by: Katie P
Breeding locations
map of breeding locations
Macaroni penguins breed on sub-Antarctic Islands south of the Americas and Africa. Large populations can be found on South Georgia, Crozet Island, Kerguelen Island, Heard Island and McDonald Island. The total breeding population is estimated to be 12,000,000 pairs.
Nesting behavior
Macaroni penguin nests are rudimentary scrapes in mud or gravel among rocks. Two eggs are laid with only one chick usually being reared. Incubation is shared by both parents in long shifts. Eggs hatch after 33 to 37 days. The male broods and guards the chicks for 23 to 25 days while the female brings food daily. Chicks then form small creches and are fed every 1 or 2 days until they are ready to leave to go to sea at about 60 to 70 days old.
Principal diet
Macaroni penguins live almost entirely on krill supplemented with up to 5% of squid.
Alternative names
As far as we know there are no alternative names for Macaroni penguins.
Macaroni Penguins porpoised past us frequently in the waters surrounding South Georgia. Photo by guide Tom Johnson
The Rockhopper Penguin, sometimes mistaken for the Macaroni Penguin, can be distinguished by paying close attention to the colors of the feathers in the crest. The Rockhopper has yellow feathers while the Macaroni has orange. They also have a distinctive red eye. Which is your favorite type of penguin?
Distinguishing features
Macaroni penguins could only be confused with Royal penguins. Macaronis and Royals are the largest of the crested penguins and both have orange yellow and black crests that join on the top of the head. The Royals usually have white chins while Macaroni penguins have black chins.
Sub-species
There are no generally recognized sub-species of the Macaroni penguin.
Height & Weight
Macaroni penguins are typically 70 cm tall. Weights vary through the year between 4 and 5.5 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.
Photographed by: Katie P
Breeding locations
map of breeding locations
Macaroni penguins breed on sub-Antarctic Islands south of the Americas and Africa. Large populations can be found on South Georgia, Crozet Island, Kerguelen Island, Heard Island and McDonald Island. The total breeding population is estimated to be 12,000,000 pairs.
Nesting behavior
Macaroni penguin nests are rudimentary scrapes in mud or gravel among rocks. Two eggs are laid with only one chick usually being reared. Incubation is shared by both parents in long shifts. Eggs hatch after 33 to 37 days. The male broods and guards the chicks for 23 to 25 days while the female brings food daily. Chicks then form small creches and are fed every 1 or 2 days until they are ready to leave to go to sea at about 60 to 70 days old.
Principal diet
Macaroni penguins live almost entirely on krill supplemented with up to 5% of squid.
Alternative names
As far as we know there are no alternative names for Macaroni penguins.
Macaroni Penguins porpoised past us frequently in the waters surrounding South Georgia. Photo by guide Tom Johnson
The Rockhopper Penguin, sometimes mistaken for the Macaroni Penguin, can be distinguished by paying close attention to the colors of the feathers in the crest. The Rockhopper has yellow feathers while the Macaroni has orange. They also have a distinctive red eye. Which is your favorite type of penguin?
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