Species & Identification

What is a macaroni penguin?

The macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a crested penguin species named after 18th-century "macaroni" fashion, which featured flamboyant feathered hats. They are distinguished by their bright yellow-orange crest feathers that sweep back from the center of the forehead. Macaroni penguins are the most abundant penguin species by population, with an estimated 6.3 million breeding pairs. They breed on sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, forming enormous colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands.