Eastern Rockhopper Penguin vs Magellanic Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin and Magellanic Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Magellanic Penguin
Size Comparison
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
2-3.4 kg
Magellanic Penguin
61-76 cm
2.7-6.5 kg
| Feature | Eastern Rockhopper Penguin | Magellanic Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes filholi | Spheniscus magellanicus |
| Height | 45-58 cm | 61-76 cm |
| Weight | 2-3.4 kg | 2.7-6.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-30 years | 25-30 years |
| Population | ~1,600,000 pairs | ~1,800,000 pairs |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans, Krill |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass | Coastal burrows, Rocky shores, Grasslands |
| Regions | Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island | Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands, Southern Brazil |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Spheniscus |
Conservation Status
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
VulnerableMagellanic Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes filholi
Magellanic Penguin
Spheniscus magellanicus
Height
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
Magellanic Penguin
61-76 cm
Weight
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
2-3.4 kg
Magellanic Penguin
2.7-6.5 kg
Lifespan
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
10-30 years
Magellanic Penguin
25-30 years
Population
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
~1,600,000 pairs
Magellanic Penguin
~1,800,000 pairs
Diet
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans
Magellanic Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans, Krill
Habitat
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass
Magellanic Penguin
Coastal burrows, Rocky shores, Grasslands
Regions
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island
Magellanic Penguin
Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands, Southern Brazil
Genus
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes
Magellanic Penguin
Spheniscus
About Each Species
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Recognized as a distinct species from the Western Rockhopper since 2006, Eastern Rockhoppers breed on sub-Antarctic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and share the same bold yellow crest and red eyes as their relatives.
Learn more about Eastern Rockhopper PenguinMagellanic Penguin
Named after Ferdinand Magellan who first spotted them in 1520, these medium-sized South American penguins are among the most migratory penguin species, with distinctive two black bands between head and breast.
Learn more about Magellanic PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Magellanic Penguin?
The Magellanic Penguin is larger, standing up to 76cm tall compared to the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin's 58cm.
Which is more endangered, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Magellanic Penguin?
The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the Magellanic Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and Magellanic Penguins live in the same area?
Eastern Rockhopper Penguins are found in Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island. Magellanic Penguins are found in Argentina, Chile, Falkland Islands, Southern Brazil.