One of the 15 penguins on WAnimals
Birds · Sphenisciformes · Spheniscidae
Macaroni Penguin
Eudyptes chrysolophus
It faces a high risk of extinction in the wild over the medium term. See full glossary
The macaroni penguin is the most abundant penguin in the world, with more than six million pairs, and even so it is listed as vulnerable because its population has fallen steadily over recent decades. It owes its name to the orange-yellow plumes that spring from the centre of its forehead and fall to the sides. It depends almost entirely on Antarctic krill, whose distribution is changing as the Southern Ocean warms.
Weight
3.5 kg – 6.4 kg
Size
65 cm – 75 cm
Lifespan
20 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Social structure
Colony
Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.
Sighting difficulty
Moderate
Estimated population
Around 6.3 million breeding pairs
Fun facts
- Its name comes from fashion: the macaronis were the 18th-century English dandies who wore feathers and extravagant ornaments in their hats, and sailors named the penguin after them for its plumes.
- It is the most abundant penguin in the world and at the same time in decline: the six million pairs conceal a sustained fall in most colonies.
- Like all penguins of its genus it lays two eggs and raises one: the first, smaller egg is almost always lost, and its purpose is still debated.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
- Habitat & environment
- Subantarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula; it feeds in the waters of the Southern Ocean
- Sexual maturity
- 5 years
- Gestation / incubation
- 35 days of incubation
- Litter / clutch size
- 2 eggs
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudyptes_chrysolophus
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapWhere to watch it
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Macaroni Penguin — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Southern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes chrysocome
Least ConcernChinstrap Penguin
Pygoscelis antarcticus
Least ConcernKing Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Royal Penguin
Eudyptes schlegeli
Least ConcernGentoo Penguin
Pygoscelis papua
Least ConcernAdelie Penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
How to help
The macaroni penguin is classified as vulnerable. Organizations such as UICN, WWF y Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programs is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 2 real protected areas — part of why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about macaroni penguin.
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