They are the most widespread of thc crested penguin, with a circumpolar distribution. Rockhopper penguins eat predominantly euphausiids, myctophid fish and squid. Rockhopper, like royal penguins, are migratory and depart Macquarie Island at the end of the breeding season. Where they go during this period is also unknown. During the breeding season they feed in the Polar Frontal Zone in similar waters to royal penguins, although they do not travel as far.
Royal penguins have a white chin and macaroni penguins have a black chin.
The only place in the world that they breed is Macquarie Island. The proportions change marginally throughout the breeding cycle. The diet differs at colonies around the island, particularly between the east and west coasts and shows substantial annual differences.