The specific name chrysolophus is derived from the Greek words chryse 'golden', and lophos 'crest'. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek words eu 'good', and dyptes 'diver'. It is one of six or so species in the genus Eudyptes, collectively known as crested penguins. The macaroni penguin was described from the Falkland Islands in 1837 by German naturalist Johann Friedrich von Brandt. Widespread declines in populations have been recorded since the mid-1970s and their conservation status is classified as vulnerable. With about 18 million individuals, the macaroni penguin is the most numerous penguin species. After spending the summer breeding, penguins disperse into the oceans for six months a 2009 study found that macaroni penguins from Kerguelen travelled over 10,000 km (6,200 mi) in the central Indian Ocean. Numbering up to 100,000 individuals, the breeding colonies of the macaroni penguin are among the largest and densest of all penguin species. These birds moult once a year, spending about three to four weeks ashore, before returning to the sea. Its diet consists of a variety of crustaceans, mainly krill, as well as small fish and cephalopods the species consumes more marine life annually than any other species of seabird.

Like all penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine lifestyle. The male and female are similar in appearance the male is slightly larger and stronger with a relatively larger bill. Adults weigh on average 5.5 kg (12 lb) and are 70 cm (28 in) in length. It bears a distinctive yellow crest, and the face and upperparts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts. One of six species of crested penguin, it is very closely related to the royal penguin, and some authorities consider the two to be a single species. The macaroni penguin ( Eudyptes chrysolophus) is a species of penguin found from the Subantarctic to the Antarctic Peninsula. Mountains and snow covered rocky areas near the coast.Catarractes chrysolophus Brandt, 1837 Penguins have very distinctive calls and can recognise each other among a whole bunch of noisy penguins…with Macaronis being the loudest.A Macaroni breeding ground can host anywhere between 100,000 to 3,000,000 breeding couples.They can dive anywhere between 15 – 70 metres and can hold their breath for up to three minutes.They are one of six species of crested penguin and are very closely related to the royal penguin.Common threats to their existence include commercial fishing, marine pollution and predators. The Macaroni penguin is classed as vulnerable. Their name comes from the distinctive yellow feathered crest on the penguins’ heads that apparently resemble the feathers that featured on hats worn by men in the 18th century referred to as macaroni’s (just like in the classic nursery rhyme ‘Yankee Doodle’). The macaroni penguin is a large species, found in the Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Peninsula. If you love penguins, you can adopt a penguin today, or even feed a penguin on a penguin experience! They’re easy to spot in amongst their Humboldt cousins at Penguin Coast as they have distinctive yellow crest feathers and a prominent orange beak. The Macaroni mafia are taking over the joint.