Macaronis and Royals are the largest of the crested penguins and both have orange yellow and black crests that join on the top of the head. The Royals usually have white chins while Macaroni penguins have black chins. Height Macaroni penguins are typically 70 cm tall. Weight Weights vary through the year between 4 and 5.5 kg.
Females are usually smaller than males.
Breeding locations Macaroni penguins breed on sub-Antarctic Islands south of the Americas and Africa. Large populations can be found on South Georgia, Crozet Island, Kerguelen Island, Heard Island and McDonald Island. Macaroni penguin nests are rudimentary scrapes in mud or gravel among rocks. Two eggs are laid with only one chick usually being reared. Incubation is shared by both parents in long shifts.