Macaroni Penguin

Macaroni Penguin
Species
Scientific Name:	Eudyptes chrysolophus
World Conservation Union
Status:	Vulnerable
Size
Height:	From 20 in–28 in (50 cm–70 cm)
Weight:	Up to 11 lbs (5 kgs)
Habitat
Location:	Coming Soon
Coloring
Feathers:	Black and white feathers with a distinctive yellow crest on the top of the head.

Macaroni Penguin, Hannah Point, Livingston Island: 62°39'S, 60°36'W, Antarctic Peninsula

The Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a species of penguin closely related to the Royal Penguin

The Macaroni Penguin is a black and white penguin with yellow and black plumes on the top of its head. Macaroni Penguins average about 5 kg (11 lbs) in weight and average 50–70 cm (20-–8 in) in height. They eat squid, krill and other crustacean, fish, and squid. Fertile Macaroni Penguins lay two eggs – the first egg laid is ignored by the penguin and usually eaten by ever-present skuas, while the second egg hatches around 34 days after it is laid. Like all penguins, they swim efficiently but cannot fly.

Name

The common name macaroni penguin was given to the species by English explorers, probably due to the bird's conspicuous yellow crest. Maccaronism was a term for a particular style in 18th century England marked by flamboyant or excessive ornamentation. A person who adopted this fashion was labeled a maccaroni or macaroni, as in the song Yankee Doodle. This usage is unrelated to the pasta macaroni. [1]

In Popular Culture

• Fidgel from the Big Idea Productions series 3-2-1 Penguins

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet.
• ARKive - images and movies of the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus)
• 70South - more info on the Macaroni penguin
• Macaroni penguins page from the International Penguin Conservation Web Site
• www.pinguins.info : information about all species of penguins
• Penguin World: Macaroni penguin