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Macaroni Penguin | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | Sphenisciformes |
Family: | Spheniscidae |
Genus: | Eudyptes |
Species: | E. chrysolophus
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Binomial name | |
Eudyptes chrysolophus (Brandt, 1837)
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The Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a species of
Taxonomy
The Macaroni Penguin was described in 1837 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich von Brandt. Its specific name is derived from the Ancient Greek words chryso- "golden", and lophos "crest" or "tuft of hair".[1]
The common name was given to the species by
Description
Averaging about 11 pounds in weight and average 25 inches in height, the Macaroni Penguin has a white belly and breast, and sharply delineated black upperparts. Like other members of the genus Eudyptes, it has yellow and black plumes on the top of its head and red eyes.
Distribution and habitat
Macaroni Penguins are distributed from the sub-Antarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. They are found on the more southern of the Antarctic islands, unlike most crested penguins. Breeding colonies are found on the Antarctic Peninsula, islands around Cape Horn, Falklands, South Georgia, South Sandwich, South Orkney, South Shetland, Bouvetøya, Prince Edward, Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard Island and Macquarie Island.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet of a macaroni penguin consists of mainly squid, fish, krill, and other crustaceans. On average, a macaroni penguin will dive from 50 to 100 feet to catch prey.
Reproduction
Fertile Macaroni Penguins lay two eggs - the first egg laid is ignored by the penguin and usually eaten by ever-present skuas, while the second egg hatches around 34 days after it is laid. Like all penguins, they swim efficiently but cannot fly.
References
- ISBN 0-19-910207-4.
- )