Royal Penguin

The largest species of crested penguin, these birds can be distinguished from other species of the genus by having a white face (though some individuals exhibit pale grey or dark grey coloration on their face). Males and females look similar, though females are smaller than males. Their close relatives are Macaroni penguins, these two having the same large, orange colored beak with the prominent pink skin on its base. In addition, these two species share the same sloppy, orange-yellow head crests. The crests on their head join on the forehead instead of running separately, as common in other crested penguins. The rest of the upper parts is colored blue-black while the under parts are silky white. Immature penguins are identified by darker beak, smaller head crest and by chrome yellow feathers on their forehead. In addition, immature individuals are usually less sturdy. On the other hand, juveniles are distinguished from adults by shorter crests as well as greyer chin and throat. First down feathers of chicks are dark greyish-brown, being darker on head and white on the under parts; the second down feathers are blacker on the upper parts.