Macaroni Penguin

## Description

The macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus ) is a species of penguin found from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. One of six species of crested penguin, it is very closely related to the royal penguin, and some authorities consider the two to be a single species. It bears a distinctive yellow crest, and the face and upperparts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts. Adults weigh on average 5.5 kg (12 lb) and are 70 cm (28 in) in length. The male and female are similar in appearance; the male is slightly larger and stronger with a relatively larger bill. Like all penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine lifestyle.

Its diet consists of a variety of crustaceans, mainly krill, as well as small fish and cephalopods; the species consumes more marine life annually than any other species of seabird. These birds moult once a year, spending about three to four weeks ashore, before returning to the sea. Numbering up to 100,000 individuals, the breeding colonies of the macaroni penguin are among the largest and densest of all penguin species. After spending the summer breeding, penguins disperse into the oceans for six months; a 2009 study found that macaroni penguins from Kerguelen travelled over 10,000 km (6,200 mi) in the central Indian Ocean. With about 18 million individuals, the macaroni penguin is the most numerous penguin species. Widespread declines in populations have been recorded since the mid-1970s and their conservation status is classified as vulnerable.

## Appearance

The Macaroni penguin is one of six crested penguins with the identifying crest on its forehead, formed by long orange-yellow and black feathers, extending to the ear coverts on either side of the animal's head. The head, upperparts, tail, and upper flippers are black, while the underparts are white. The animal has a black chin and throat. The eyes are deep red and the beak is pinkish-red, consisting of horny plates. The webbed feet and short, sturdy legs of the animal are pink in color. Both males and females exhibit similar plumage while females are a bit smaller than males. Unlike adults, juvenile penguins have grey throats and chins. In addition, the crest on their head is shorter than that of adult individuals. Chicks have dark grey plumage, grey eyes, and brownish-black beaks, lacking the head crest.

## Distribution

These penguins inhabit rocky and water-bound terrains, being found on cliffs and rocks. In South America, their range stretches from southern Chile to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the South Orkney Islands. The Macaroni penguins are widely distributed across Antarctica, the Sub Antarctic, and the Antarctic Peninsula, found on the northern South Shetland Islands, Bouvet Island, Prince Edward and Marion islands, the Crozet Islands, the Kerguelen Islands, and the Heard and McDonald Islands. They also make long-distance foraging trips, reaching as far as southern Brazil, Tristan da Cunha, South Africa, and the offshore islands of Australia, and New Zealand.

## Behavior

These penguins are highly social animals, gathering into large colonies, which generally consist of breeding pairs and contain up to 2.5 million individuals. When on land, these birds are extremely noisy, giving out harsh braying sounds; when at sea, they tend to bark. They communicate with each other through ritual behavior, accompanying their calls by moving, waving their heads and flippers, bowing, and preening. Being both diurnal and crepuscular animals, these birds are active throughout the day. They forage by day, often remaining in water from dawn to dusk. During the daytime hours, they can dive at a depth of 20-80 meters, remaining emerged for 2-3 minutes, whereas during the night, they dive no deeper than 20 meters. Looking for feeding areas, Macaroni penguins can travel up to 400 km along the polar front. During the mating season, the birds typically fast for up to 40 days.

## Diet

Macaroni penguins are carnivores. Their diet generally consists of krill, about 5% squid as well as a small amount of fish and amphipod crustaceans.

## Reproduction

Macaroni penguins have a monogamous mating system, forming lifelong pairs. During the breeding season, they gather into large colonies. Usually, males arrive before females to establish territories. The female lays two eggs, the first of which is smaller and is not incubated. The eggs are typically laid in a shallow scrape, made in the ground. The second, larger egg is incubated by both parents for about 34 days. For the first 3-4 weeks after hatching, the male remains with the chick, caring for the hatchling, whereas the female forages to provide them both with food. After a while, the hatchling joins a crèche of other young penguins while both parents forage to feed the chick. By the age of 10 weeks, the youngster attains its adult plumage and can go out to sea.

## Population

### Threats

One of the major threats is overfishing, which considerably reduces populations of krill and other small invertebrates that are the main source of food for these penguins. At their breeding grounds, the birds are exposed to oil pollution, fishing, and global warming. On the other hand, the breeding population on Marion Island has sharply reduced due to disease outbreaks.

### Number

The overall population of this species is currently decreasing, being estimated to be about 6.300.000 breeding pairs. On the IUCN Red List, the Macaroni Penguin is classified as Vulnerable (VU).

## Fun Facts

When on land, the penguins move around by hopping. In addition, these agile animals easily climb up rocky cliffs to get to their colonies.

During their courtship rituals, male penguins outstretch their flippers, hold their head upward and pump their chest repeatedly, accompanying it with harsh breying calls.

The species was named in the middle of the 18th century by English explorers. When they first saw the penguin, the yellow crest on the bird's head reminded them a particular style, which was common at that time among young men: those, wearing flashy feathers in their hats were labeled "Macaroni", which came from the song "Yankee Doodle", sung during the Revolutionary War, meant to make fun of the poorly dressed Continental Army.

In the film "Happy Feet", one of the main characters named "Lovelace" is a Macaroni penguin.

When on land, Macaroni penguins move around by waddling gait, with outstretched wings, held backward and upright.

This penguin undergoes molt once a year, losing and re-growing its plumage.