Macaroni Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Macaroni Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Macaroni Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
Macaroni Penguin
51-77 cm
3.3-6.6 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | Macaroni Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes chrysolophus | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 51-77 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 3.3-6.6 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 8-15 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~6,300,000 pairs | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Small fish, Crustaceans | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky, cliff-bound coastlines, Sub-Antarctic islands | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, South Sandwich Islands | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
Macaroni Penguin
VulnerableYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
Macaroni Penguin
Eudyptes chrysolophus
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
Macaroni Penguin
51-77 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
Macaroni Penguin
3.3-6.6 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
Macaroni Penguin
8-15 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
Macaroni Penguin
~6,300,000 pairs
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
Macaroni Penguin
Krill, Squid, Small fish, Crustaceans
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Macaroni Penguin
Rocky, cliff-bound coastlines, Sub-Antarctic islands
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
Macaroni Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, South Sandwich Islands
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
Macaroni Penguin
Eudyptes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
About Each Species
Macaroni Penguin
The most numerous penguin species in the world with an estimated 8–12 million breeding pairs, named after the flamboyant 18th-century 'Macaroni' fashion trend. Despite their huge numbers, they are Vulnerable due to rapid declines.
Learn more about Macaroni PenguinYellow-eyed Penguin
Known as Hoiho ('noise shouter') in Māori, this large, pale-faced penguin endemic to New Zealand is one of the world's rarest, unique among penguins for being largely solitary and nesting out of sight of others.
Learn more about Yellow-eyed PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Macaroni Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Yellow-eyed Penguin is larger, standing up to 79cm tall compared to the Macaroni Penguin's 77cm.
Which is more endangered, Macaroni Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Macaroni Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do Macaroni Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
Macaroni Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, South Sandwich Islands. Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.