Royal Penguin - Eudyptes Schlegeli
Distinguishing features	Royal penguins could only be confused with Macaroni penguins. Macaronis and Royals are the largest of the crested penguins and both have orange yellow and black crests that join on the top of the head. The Royals usually have white chins (although some have light or dark grey chins) while Macaronis have black chins. Some authorities suggest Royals should be classified as a sub-species of Macaroni penguins.
Height	Royal penguins are about 70 cm tall.
Weight	Weights vary through the year between 4 and 5.5 kg. Females are usually smaller than males.
Breeding locations	Royal penguins breed only on Macquarie Island. The total breeding population is estimated to be 850,000 pairs
Nesting behaviour	Nests are shallow depressions in sand or grass lined with stones or grass. Two eggs are usually laid but only one chick reared. Incubation takes 35 days and is shared by both parents in long shifts (up to 12 days). The male broods and guards the chicks for 10 to 20 days while the female brings food daily. Chicks then form small creches and are fed every 2 or 3 days until they are ready to leave to go to sea at about 65 days old.
Principal diet	Royals have a varied diet - about 50% krill and about 48% fish with 2% squid.

Bibliography

Penguins of the World Pauline Reilly, OUP, Oxford, 1994.

The Penguins Tony D Williams, OUP, Oxford, 1995.

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