Eudyptes chrysolophus
Fast Facts
- Macaroni penguins have a distinctive yellow crest that gives them their name—”macaroni” was 18th-century slang for flashy fashion.
- They are one of the most numerous penguin species, with an estimated population of over 9 million breeding pairs.
- Their maximum dive depth is 262ft (80 m), and though they can dive that far, they mainly forage closer to the surface at around 33ft (10 m).
Range
Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions
Habitat
Open ocean and they nest on rocky, coastal cliffs and tussock-covered hillsides on sub-Antarctic islands
Size
24 to 28-inches tall and weigh 6–14 lbs
Nutrition
Krill, squid, and small fish