About the Macaroni Penguin
The macaroni penguin is a species of penguin found from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. One of eight species of crested penguin, it is very closely related to the royal penguin, and some authorities consider the two to be a single species. It bears a distinctive yellow crest on its forehead. Its face and upperparts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts. Adults weigh on average 5.5 kg (12 lb) and are 70 cm (28 in) in length. The male and female are similar in appearance; the male is slightly larger and stronger with a larger bill. Like all penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine…
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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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Macaroni Penguin sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia, United Kingdom, Norway, New Zealand.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Western Rockhopper PenguinEudyptes chrysocomeThis is the smallest of the yellow-crested, black-and-white penguins in the genus Eudyptes.
Fiordland PenguinEudyptes pachyrhynchusThis species is a medium-sized, yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin, growing to approximately 55 cm (22 in) long and weighing on average 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), with a weight range of 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11.0 lb).
Royal PenguinEudyptes schlegeliThe royal penguin closely resembles the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), from which it differs primarily in having a white or pale grey face and chin rather than black.
Learn the Macaroni Penguin for real
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