Common Name: Macaroni Penguin
Scientific Name: Eudyptes chrysolophus
Range: Antarctic islands, tip of South America.

The macaroni penguin is the world's most populous penguin species, with an estimated 20,000,000 individuals today, but they are considered vulnerable to significant threats because of rapid population declines in recent years. Physically, they are very similar to their royal penguin cousins (royal penguins are occasionally considered a subspecies of macaroni penguins), but have a black chin and throat instead of white.

Not only are these penguins widespread in many island breeding locations, but they are also popular in zoos and aquariums, and live happily in captivity.

Photo © Tommy Johansson