Royal Penguins
Scientific Name: Eudyptes Schlegeli

Royal penguins look very much like the Macaroni penguins. Some people think that the Royal penguin is just another kind of Macaroni penguin. The biggest difference in their appearance is that the Royal penguin is bigger and has a white chin. The most distinguished feature is the fancy orange-yellow crest of feathers that look like bushy eyebrows.

Royal penguins will grow to a height of about 70 cm. They can weigh about 5 kg. The male is usually larger than the female.

Royal penguins build nests in the sand or grass. The nests look like a little hollowed out place. The nest is covered with stones or grass. Two eggs are laid in the nest, but usually the second one which is larger, will be the only one to survive. After the egg is laid, it will hatch after about 35 days. This is called incubation. Both parents take care of the egg during this time, up to 12 days at a time. The parent that is not incubating the egg is out to sea hunting for food. After the chick hatches, the male parent will stay with the chick while the female hunts for food to feed the chick. The female will feed the chick every day. This lasts for about 20 days. At this time the chicks will form groups called crèches for warmth and protection. Both of the parents will now go to sea. They will return to feed their chick every two or three days.

When the chick is 65 days old, it will molt. That means that the baby feathers will fall out and the adult feathers will grow in. After that happens the young penguin will be mature enough to leave on its to go to sea and feed itself.

Royal penguins like to eat krill, fish and a little