Macaroni Penguin

You might recognize this penguin from the famous Sony Pictures Animation movie ‘Surfs Up‘. Even though in real life they do not surf, with its vivid orange-yellow crest, striking red eyes, and quirky name, the macaroni penguin stands out as the most numerous penguin species in Antarctica.

Did you know that they are the world’s most numerous penguin?

Macaroni Penguin Quick Overview

Questions Guests Ask About the Macaroni Penguin

Where Do They Live?

The macaroni penguin’s habitat includes rocky, coastal terrains on Sub-Antarctic islands such as South Georgia and the South Shetland Islands, as well as the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, and parts of southern Chile. Outside the breeding season, they can be found as far north as the coasts of South Africa.

What Do They Look Like?

One of their most identifiable characteristics is their distinctive orange-yellow crest, red eyes, and reddish bill. Considered medium-sized compared to other species, the macaroni penguin measures approximately 70 cm in height, with an average weight of around 5.5 kg.

Why Is It Called a Macaroni Penguin?

If you think it’s related to the pasta dish, you’re mistaken! It actually comes from a historical reference. It was inspired by a fashion trend from the 18th century that originated in Italy, where young men wore flamboyant, feathered hats that resembled the appearance of this crested seabird. When explorers from England discovered these animals in Antarctica and saw their distinctive yellow crest, they named them after the “macaronis” fashion trend back in Europe.

How Long Does a Macaroni Penguin Live?

In the wild, the macaroni penguin’s lifespan typically ranges from 8 to 15 years. However, when cared by humans, these penguins can live longer, reaching 20 years or more.

What Is their Diet?

The macaroni penguin’s diet mainly consists of krill, which can constitute over 90% of their total diet, but they also feed on cephalopods and small fish. This iconic Southern Ocean animal is considered the seabird that consumes the largest amount of seafood, with an estimated 9.2 million tonnes of crustaceans annually.

Who Are Their Predators?

Their predators are both in the sea and on land. At sea, animals such as leopard seals, Antarctic fur seals, and killer whales pose as their greatest threats. On land, the most vulnerable are the chicks and the eggs, which can be easy targets for opportunistic predators such as skuas, giant petrels, snowy sheathbills, and gulls.

They are easily identified by their bright yellow head crests

How Many of These 10 Macaroni Penguin Facts Did You Already Know?

1. Their colonies can reach up to an astonishing 100,000 individuals.
2. This medium-sized animal is slightly smaller than other penguin species, such as the Emperor or King penguins, but larger than the Rockhopper species.
3. They breed annually.
4. They are the most numerous penguin in the world.
5. The macaroni penguin life cycle consists of courtship, egg laying, chick rearing, moulting and feeding at sea.
6. Usually lays two eggs in the months of October and November.
7. This red-eyed seabird’s threat status is at ‘Vulnerable’ according to the IUCN Red List.
8. Usually, they become independent around 9 to 10 weeks of age.
9. Both females and males incubate eggs.
10. This crested seabird belongs to the genus Eudyptes, which also includes six other penguin species.