Royal and Macaroni penguins are the largest crested penguins and both have orange-yellow and black crests that join on the top of the head. Royal penuins are about 70 centimeters tall. Weights change throughout the year between 4 and 5.5 kilograms.
Females are usually smaller than males.
Several eggs are usually laid but only one chick reared. Hatching takes 5 weeks and is shared by both parents in long shifts. The male watches the chicks for 1 to 2 weeks while the female brings food daily. Depending on the breed of penguin, the eggs can be laid from one to three weeks after mating. We don't know how long penguins live in the wild, there haven't been enough long time population studies yet.