This is the species of penguin that experts believe has the highest population. The chicks can’t go into the water until their adult feathers molt. This is because his body will be able to fast for a longer time than the female body can. However, the male will stay with the chick for longer periods of time than the female. When the young are born, the parents will take turns carrying for a chick on land and going to get food to bring back. They will take turns incubating the eggs for about 36 to 40 days at intervals of 10 to 12 days. If there are two, they will likely only care for the larger of the two chicks. The female will lay one or two eggs in the nest. The males may fight with each other in an effort to secure the best nesting locations. The Macaroni Penguin is an excellent climber and the higher location helps to ensure the nest is well protected from predators. This includes cliffs that are very high up. The nests are going to be made around rocky areas that are close to the water. Once a mate is selected or a previous mate if located, then the process of creating the nest is next on the agenda. The females that have an interest in them will then mimic the movements and sounds. They will also make a variety of circles and movements while calling. The males will display themselves with their winds spread out. They rely on their vocal calls to help them find each other.įor those that haven’t mated before, it is a game of displaying and picking. When possible, they will find their same mate from the year before to mate with. They will return to the same locations all the time for breeding purposes. They will mate in the spring time or in late October depending on location. The Macaroni Penguin is mature for mating around 6 years of age. Macaroni Penguins Socializing Macaroni Penguin Reproduction They may fast for as long as 40 days during the mating season.

This is to store up fat for when they need it, to meet their current needs, and also to feed their young during certain times of the year. From the time the sun comes up until it goes down they can be in the water looking for food. They are very opportunistic when it comes to eating. Approximately 90% of their diet consists of krill. They eat small fish, crustaceans, and krill.

They have spiny elements in the mouth and on the tongue that prevent the slippery food from getting away. They can remain under the surface of the water for up to 3 minutes at a time. Most of the time though they only dive a short distance into the water to get their food supplies. When necessary, they are able to dive deep into the water to find food. Since they spend so much time in the water, there is little known about their behaviors outside of mating and molting when they are visible on land for extended periods of time. While they don’t have very good vision on land, they are able to see exceptionally well in the water. It can be very noisy but the process is one that the Macaroni Penguins seem to thrive with. There are sub colonies and groups found within the larger entity. They offer some of the largest colonies though. Like other species of penguins, they are very social. Other than mating, molting, and preening, this particular species of penguin will spend almost all of its time in the water.

Macaroni penguin