Species profile
Name: the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a species of penguin found from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. One of six species of crested penguin, they are closely related to the royal penguin, and are sometimes considered a single species.
Appearance: they are easily recognisable birds, thanks to their white stomachs, black backs and heads, and distinctive yellow head feathers.
Size: they weigh around 5.5 kg and reach around 70 cm in length.
Diet: macaroni penguins mainly feed on krill, together with small fish and cephalopods. They are voracious eaters, consuming more marine life than any other species of seabird!
Did you know: their common name comes from the distinctive yellow feathered crests on the tops of their heads. When spotted by early explorers, it was thought that these yellow feathers looked like those on the ‘macaroni’ hats worn by fashionable men in the 18 century. Just like in the nursery rhyme ‘Yankee Doodle’!
Location: macaroni penguins are the most abundant species of penguin worldwide. They can be found throughout the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Where to see macaroni penguins
According to reports submitted to WildSide, you can see macaroni penguins in the following places:
| Place | Chance to see | User rating | No. reports |
| South Georgia Antarctica |
100% very good |
5.0 very good |
1 reports |
Photo credit: Liam Quinn under a Creative Commons licence from Flickr