Bird Guide

Macaroni Penguin vs Western Rockhopper Penguin

Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)

Macaroni Penguin

Eudyptes chrysolophus

Huge4.5 kgMarine

The macaroni penguin is a large, crested penguin, similar in appearance to other members of the genus Eudyptes. An adult bird has an average length of around 70 cm (28 in); the weight varies markedly depending on time of year and sex. Males average from 3.3 kg (7 lb) after incubating, or 3.7 kg (8 lb) after moult to 6.4 kg (14 lb) before moult, while females average 3.2 kg (7 lb) after to 5.7 kg (13 lb) before moult. Among standard measurements, the thick bill (from the gape) measures 7 to 8 cm (2.8 to 3.1 in), the culmen being around a centimetre less.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Macaroni Penguin
Recorded by Kevin Guille · Begging call, call, song · Sourcil Noir, France · CC0
Photo: Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY 3.0
Western Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)

Western Rockhopper Penguin

Eudyptes chrysocome

Huge2.3 kgMarine

This is the smallest of the yellow-crested, black-and-white penguins in the genus Eudyptes. It reaches a length of 45–58 cm (18–23 in) and typically weighs 2–3.4 kg (4.4–7.5 lb), although there are records of exceptionally large rockhoppers weighing 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). It has slate-grey upper parts and has straight, bright yellow eyebrows ending in long yellowish plumes projecting sideways behind a red eye.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Nick / from United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Macaroni Penguin and Western Rockhopper Penguin.