Animal Guide

Macaroni Penguin

11 destinations · 11 states

Native Range: Subantarctic islands and the Antarctic Peninsula

Macaroni penguins are easy to spot once you notice the bright yellow-orange feathers sticking out above each eye. At an aquarium, those distinctive crests become especially noticeable when a penguin turns its head or calls to another bird. On land, macaroni penguins shuffle and hop across rocky surfaces, often gathering in busy groups where birds preen, vocalize, and jostle for space. In the water, they look completely different. Their flipper-like wings drive them through the sea with quick, powerful strokes, and they can change direction rapidly while chasing krill and small fish. Watch for a penguin popping above the surface before diving again, sometimes in a quick series of leaps. During the breeding season, they gather in large colonies on rocky islands and coastal slopes. Native to the subantarctic and Antarctic regions, macaroni penguins spend much of their lives at sea. Their bold yellow crest is the obvious feature, but their energetic swimming and noisy social groups can be just as fun to watch.

Macaroni Penguin

Where to see Macaroni Penguin

11 destinations across 11 states

11 destinations

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Central Park Zoo

New York, NY

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Kansas City, MO

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Draper, UT

Moody Gardens

Galveston, TX

Newport Aquarium

Newport, KY

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Pittsburgh, PA

SeaWorld Orlando

Orlando, FL

SeaWorld San Diego

San Diego, CA

Tennessee Aquarium

Chattanooga, TN

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