Royal Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Royal Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Royal Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
Royal Penguin
65-76 cm
3-8 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | Royal Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes schlegeli | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 65-76 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 3-8 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~850,000 pairs | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Krill, Small fish, Squid | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Sandy and rocky beaches, Vegetation-covered slopes | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | Macquarie Island (Australia) | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
Royal Penguin
Near ThreatenedYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
Royal Penguin
Eudyptes schlegeli
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
Royal Penguin
65-76 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
Royal Penguin
3-8 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
Royal Penguin
15-20 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
Royal Penguin
~850,000 pairs
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
Royal Penguin
Krill, Small fish, Squid
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Royal Penguin
Sandy and rocky beaches, Vegetation-covered slopes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
Royal Penguin
Macquarie Island (Australia)
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
Royal Penguin
Eudyptes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
About Each Species
Royal Penguin
Found exclusively on Macquarie Island, Royal Penguins are closely related to Macaroni Penguins but distinguished by their white or pale grey face. Their species status is still debated by scientists.
Learn more about Royal 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, Royal Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Yellow-eyed Penguin is larger, standing up to 79cm tall compared to the Royal Penguin's 76cm.
Which is more endangered, Royal Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Royal Penguin is classified as "Near Threatened" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do Royal Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
Royal Penguins are found in Macquarie Island (Australia). Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.