Early English explorers to the Antarctic named a Penguin with an elaborate crest of yellow feathers, “Macaroni”. In mid-18th Century London, “Macaroni” were fashionable fops, who affected Italian ways. These young men wore flashy feathers in their hats. The gaudy yellow feathers of Macaroni Penguin made Him look as if He was a fashionable fop, as well.
The largest of the Crested Penguins (Eudyptes), Macaroni Penguin is a close relative of Rockhopper Penguin. In fact, Macaroni Penguins can be found in small numbers at Rockhopper Penguin colonies in the Falklands. Like Rockhopper Penguin, Macaroni Penguin also hops along on both feet.
Macaroni Penguins are, usually, found living in large colonies (with as many as 50,000 nesting pairs) in the Sub-Antarctic. Living in the company of many Penguins, Macaroni Penguins are extremely sociable. They breed and molt together on shore, and gather in large groups to feed at sea.
In her colony, Mother Macaroni Penguin builds a crude nest by scraping out a shallow hole, and then lays her two eggs. While the smaller first egg is usually lost to predators, the second larger egg is incubated by Mother and Father Macaroni Penguin. After Macaroni Penguin Chick is hatched, Father Macaroni Penguin rears Him for nearly a month. Afterwards, Macaroni Penguin Chick joins with other Chicks for warmth and protection in a “crèche”. His Parents feed Him every other day until He grows his adult feathers.
Macaroni Penguin teaches about sharing your life. As a Chick, Macaroni Penguin shares warmth and protection with his fellow Chicks. As an adult, Macaroni Penguin shares the same nesting grounds and feeding areas with his fellow Penguins. As a Father, He shares in the rearing of their Chick with his Mate. Learn the many aspects of sharing from Macaroni Penguin.
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Va. Carper
October 3, 2006