Macaroni Penguin
IUCN
VU
Basic Information
Scientific classification
- name：Macaroni Penguin
- Scientific Name：Eudyptes chrysolophus
- Outline：Waterfowl
- Family：Spheniscidae Eudyptes
Vital signs
- length：c. 70 cm; flipper span ~70–80 cm
- Weight：3–6 kg (seasonal variation)
- lifetime：8–15 years in the wild
Feature
Long bright golden crest; huge colonies; krill‑based diet; flexible diving and foraging ranges.
Distribution and Habitat
Sub‑Antarctic island slopes and tussock; foraging across Southern Ocean frontal zones.
Appearance
Black upperparts, white underparts; sweeping golden crest; orange‑brown bill; sexes similar.
Details
Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a large crested penguin distinguished by its long, bright golden crest. It breeds on sub‑Antarctic islands including South Georgia, South Shetland, South Orkney, Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard–McDonald and Bouvet, and forages widely in the Southern Ocean. IUCN status:Vulnerable (VU) with an overall declining trend.
Ecology & Behaviour
Diet dominated by Antarctic krill, with fish and cephalopods varying by site and year. Huge colonies nest on rocky slopes and tussock grass; both parents incubate and guard chicks. Dive depths and trip distances respond to oceanographic conditions.
Identification
Extensive golden crest sweeping back from the forehead; black upperparts, white underparts, and an orange‑brown bill. Compared with Fiordland/rockhopper penguins, the crest is longer and denser and facial/bill tones differ.
Breeding
Two‑egg clutch with the first egg smaller and less likely to hatch; incubation ~33–37 days; fledging ~60–70 days. Wild longevity typically 8–15 years.
Threats & Conservation
Climate‑driven changes in krill availability affecting breeding success and adult condition.
Fishery interactions (krill harvest, bycatch) and disturbance at some colonies.
Ongoing biosecurity to prevent invasive species and disease.
Actions: biosecurity and visitor controls on key islands, bycatch mitigation and ecosystem‑based krill management, long‑term monitoring.
FAQ
Q1. How to tell it from rockhopper or Fiordland penguins?
Macaroni has a longer, denser, brighter golden crest and different facial/bill coloration; colony size and distribution also differ.
Q2. What does it eat?
Primarily Antarctic krill, with small fish and squid varying by region and year.
Q3. Why is it listed as Vulnerable?
Multi‑site declines linked to climatic variability and fishery interactions reduce resilience across colonies.
Similar animals
Macaroni Penguin
Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a large crested penguin distinguished by itslong, bright golden crest. It breeds on sub‑Antarctic islands including South Georgia, South Shetland, South Orkney,Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard–McDonald and Bouvet, and forages widely in the Sou...
Fratercula cirrhata(Tufted puffin)
Table of ContentsIntroduction to Tufted PuffinsPhysical FeaturesSize and WeightEye-Catching ColorsHabitat and RangeDiet and Hunting SkillsBreeding and NestingMigration PatternsPredators and ThreatsNatural PredatorsEnvironmental ThreatsConservation StatusBehavior and CommunicationFun Facts About Tuft...
Phalacrocorax urile
The red-faced cormorant (Phalacrocorax urile), also known as the red-faced cormorant, is a bird of the genus Phalacrocorax in the family Cormoridae. It is commonly known as the water crow. It is a bird belonging to the family Phalacrocorax.Distributed in the northern Pacific Ocean in Alaska, the Ale...
Pelecanoides urinatrix
Common Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix) is a small diving petrel.During the breeding period of Pelican swallows, they often foraged on the continental shelf. Behavior during the non-breeding period is not known. Like other birds in the Pelican family, they flap their wings as thrust for diving...
Email: jsset668#gmail.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
