How did the macaroni penguin get its name?

It is named after the orange crest feathers above its eyes, which recalled the flamboyant "macaroni" fashion style of 18th-century England.

What does the macaroni penguin eat?

It feeds mainly on krill and other crustaceans, along with small fish and squid, and is estimated to consume 9.2 million tonnes of krill annually.

Why is the macaroni penguin listed as Vulnerable despite being so numerous?

Although it is the most numerous penguin species with about 18 million individuals, regional populations such as South Georgia's declined by 50% between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s.

Macaroni Penguinマカロニペンギン

Eudyptes chrysolophusVU— Vulnerable

The macaroni penguin is a crested penguin found across a wide range from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula, easily identified by the bright orange plumes above its eyes. It feeds mainly on krill, taking an estimated 9.2 million tonnes a year, making it the largest single consumer of marine resources among seabirds. Although it remains the most numerous penguin species with around 18 million individuals, sharp regional declines—such as a 50% drop in the South Georgia population between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s—have led to its Vulnerable listing.

Macaroni Penguin (reference photo) — Photo: Jerzy Strzelecki / CC BY 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Sphenisciformes / Spheniscidae Source
Size: Body length about 70 cm
Weight: About 5–6 kg
Diet: Piscivore Feeds mainly on crustaceans such as krill, along with small fish and squid
Distribution: Ranges from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula, with colonies in South America, Antarctica, and remote Indian Ocean islands such as Kerguelen and Heard Islands. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

Known for the orange crest feathers above its eyes, the species takes its name from "macaroni," an 18th-century British slang term for a flamboyantly dressed man. Source
With an estimated 18 million individuals, it is the most numerous penguin species in the world. Source
It is considered the largest single consumer of marine resources among all seabirds, taking an estimated 9.2 million tonnes of krill a year. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3

How to tell Penguins apart →

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org www.iucnredlist.org

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FAQ

How did the macaroni penguin get its name?: It is named after the orange crest feathers above its eyes, which recalled the flamboyant "macaroni" fashion style of 18th-century England. Source
What does the macaroni penguin eat?: It feeds mainly on krill and other crustaceans, along with small fish and squid, and is estimated to consume 9.2 million tonnes of krill annually. Source
Why is the macaroni penguin listed as Vulnerable despite being so numerous?: Although it is the most numerous penguin species with about 18 million individuals, regional populations such as South Georgia's declined by 50% between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org