Macaroni Penguin
Nothing to do with pasta
Classification
Kingdom: Animilia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Eudyptes
Species: Chrysolophus
Scientific Name: Eudyptes chrysolophus
Closest Relative: Royal Penguin
Key Information
- The macaroni penguin is the most numerous species of penguin on the planet as there approximately 18 million macaroni penguin individuals.
- Macaroni penguins are one the biggest and heaviest species of penguin as adult macaroni penguins generally average about 70cm in height and weigh 5 to 6 kg.
Where they live: Antarctica - rocky, water-bound areas, and cliffs above the ocean
What they eat: fish (krill and squid) and aquatic crustaceans
Interesting fact: Their eyes, like the many sea animals, are attuned to the colors of the sea. This excellent vision is needed to avoid predation by leopard seals and killer whales, which are their primary predators in the ocean. They have webbed feet to swim very well and can remain under water for long periods of time, that helps them defend against predators.
Social Interactions and Reproduction
The penguin communicates by complex ritual behaviors such as head and flipper waving, calling, and bowing.
Mating:
Mating rituals include when a male pumps his chest several times with his head stretched upwards and with flippers stretched outwards, projects a loud sound. The female responds and many males do this in a big group.
Reproduction:
Macaroni penguins breed once every year with an average of laying 2 eggs per season. The eggs usually hatch after 30 days and the babies are on their own after 60 days.