The royal penguin is a species of penguin, which can be found only on the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island and adjacent islands. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the royal penguin as Least Concern. The scientific name commemorates the German zoologist Hermann Schlegel.
Region
Subantarctic Southern Ocean
Typical Environment
Royal penguins breed on rocky beaches and tussock-covered slopes of Macquarie Island and a few adjacent islets. Outside the breeding season, they range widely at sea across the nutrient-rich Subantarctic Front, foraging in cold open ocean waters. Colonies are dense and located near accessible landings. At sea they are pelagic, often far from land, and follow prey aggregations associated with upwelling and frontal systems.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Royal penguins breed almost exclusively on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island and nearby islets. Their scientific name honors the German zoologist Hermann Schlegel. They were once considered a color morph or subspecies of the macaroni penguin but are now widely recognized as a distinct species.
Royal penguin head
Royal penguins fighting on Macquarie Island
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
flightless; powerful underwater pursuit swimmer
Social Behavior
They breed in very large, noisy colonies, forming monogamous pairs for the season. Nests are shallow scrapes or simple platforms of stones and vegetation. Two eggs are laid, but the first smaller egg rarely produces a fledgling; both parents share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include braying and trumpeting calls used in pair recognition and territorial displays. At colonies they produce a chorus of squawks and rhythmic brays, with head-shaking and crest-raising visual displays.
