Macaroni Penguin
Photo · (c) Ellen Rykers, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Macaroni Penguin

Eudyptes chrysolophus(Brandt, JF, 1837)

VulnerableNative
Order
SPHENISCIFORMES
Conservation
Vulnerable
Commonness
Rare
Best seen
Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

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 lifestyle.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range
Subantarctic islands of west South Atlantic to east South Indian Ocean: Antarctic Pen. and Falkland Is. to Kerguelen and Heard is.

03 · When

When to look

Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

The BirdUp app

Log your next Macaroni Penguin in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.