Royal Penguins - Facts, Information, Photos and More About Royal Penguins
Distinguishing features
Royal penguins could only be confused with Macaroni 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 (although some have light or dark grey chins) while Macaronis have black chins. Some authorities suggest Royals should be classified as a sub-species of Macaroni penguins.
Photographed by: Joe Fuhrman
Sub-species
There are no generally recognized sub-species of the Royal penguin.
Australia's only Endemic Penguin. The Royal penguin only found on Macquarie Island. These guys cracked me up and entertained us for hours! So cute and so comical - the perfect penguin combo.
Height & Weight
Royal penguins are about 70 cm tall. Weights vary through the year between 4 and 5.5 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.
Breeding locations
map of breeding locations
Royal penguins breed only on Macquarie Island. The total breeding population is estimated to be 850,000 pairs
Nesting behavior
Nests are shallow depressions in sand or grass lined with stones or grass. Two eggs are usually laid but only one chick reared. Incubation takes 35 days and is shared by both parents in long shifts (up to 12 days). The male broods and guards the chicks for 10 to 20 days while the female brings food daily. Chicks then form small creches and are fed every 2 or 3 days until they are ready to leave to go to sea at about 65 days old.
Principal diet
Royals have a varied diet - about 50% krill and about 48% fish with 2% squid.
Alternative names
As far as we know there are no alternative names for Royal penguins.
From a past trip to Macquarie Island, a sub-Antarctic Island with an Australian base. Royal Penguins which breed there are feisty personalities!
Royal penguins could only be confused with Macaroni 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 (although some have light or dark grey chins) while Macaronis have black chins. Some authorities suggest Royals should be classified as a sub-species of Macaroni penguins.
Photographed by: Joe Fuhrman
Sub-species
There are no generally recognized sub-species of the Royal penguin.
Australia's only Endemic Penguin. The Royal penguin only found on Macquarie Island. These guys cracked me up and entertained us for hours! So cute and so comical - the perfect penguin combo.
Height & Weight
Royal penguins are about 70 cm tall. Weights vary through the year between 4 and 5.5 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.
Breeding locations
map of breeding locations
Royal penguins breed only on Macquarie Island. The total breeding population is estimated to be 850,000 pairs
Nesting behavior
Nests are shallow depressions in sand or grass lined with stones or grass. Two eggs are usually laid but only one chick reared. Incubation takes 35 days and is shared by both parents in long shifts (up to 12 days). The male broods and guards the chicks for 10 to 20 days while the female brings food daily. Chicks then form small creches and are fed every 2 or 3 days until they are ready to leave to go to sea at about 65 days old.
Principal diet
Royals have a varied diet - about 50% krill and about 48% fish with 2% squid.
Alternative names
As far as we know there are no alternative names for Royal penguins.
From a past trip to Macquarie Island, a sub-Antarctic Island with an Australian base. Royal Penguins which breed there are feisty personalities!
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