About Eudyptes schlegeli Finsch, 1876
Taxonomic Controversy
There has been some scientific controversy over whether royal penguins (Eudyptes schlegeli) should be classified as a subspecies of macaroni penguins. Members of these two groups have been recorded interbreeding, although this event is relatively rare. Mixed-species pairs have also been observed in wild populations of other penguin species.
Habitat Range
Royal penguins live in the waters that surround Antarctica.
Appearance Distinction
They strongly resemble macaroni penguins in appearance, but royal penguins have a white face and chin, in contrast to the black face and chin of macaroni penguins.
Size and Weight
Adult royal penguins measure 65–76 cm (26–30 in) in length and weigh 5–6 kg (11–13 lb), with males being larger than females.
Breeding Location
Royal penguins breed exclusively on Macquarie Island and the nearby adjacent islands.
Marine Behavior
Like other penguin species, royal penguins spend most of their time at sea, where they are thought to be pelagic.
