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 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 are colored blue-black while the underparts are silky white. Immature penguins are identified by darker beaks, 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. The first down feathers of chicks are dark greyish-brown, being darker on the head and white on the underparts; the second down feathers are blacker on the upper parts.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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PiscivoresA piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. Piscivorous is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophagous. Fish were the die...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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Flightless birdFlightless birds are birds that through evolution lost the ability to fly. There are over 60 extant species including the well known ratites (ostri...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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NatatorialNatatorial animals are those adapted for swimming. Some fish use their pectoral fins as the primary means of locomotion, sometimes termed labriform...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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ColonialColonial animals live in large aggregations composed of two or more conspecific individuals in close association with or connected to, one another....
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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Royal penguins inhabit the waters surrounding Antarctica. During the breeding season, they come ashore on Macquarie Island, which is located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, approximately halfway from Antarctica to New Zealand. Here they occur among small shrubs, rocks, and tussock grass, breeding on beaches and grassy slopes, found about 1 - 6 km from the sea coast.
Royal penguins are highly social animals, gathering into large colonies. They are even able to distinguish the call of their mate and chicks, which allows them to find each other while living in these large colonies. When on land, the birds spend a lot of time together. During confrontations, these penguins can attack the opponent from behind. Aggressive behavior also includes hissing noises, lunging toward the opponent as well as biting and gripping it at the neck. However, these confrontations usually don't lead to injuries. When foraging, Royal penguins are able to dive deep, though usually, it's not necessary, since the suitable prey items can be easily found at shallow depths. Royal penguins typically feed in the mornings and evenings. In the middle of March, at the end of each breeding season, Royal penguins undergo molting.
Royal penguins are carnivores (piscivores).Their diet mainly consists of krill and crustaceans, supplemented with amphipods, cephalopods, and certain species of fish.
Royal penguins have a monogamous mating system, where one male mates with only one female throughout its life. They gather into large and dense nesting colonies. The breeding season lasts from September to March. Usually, by the end of September, males arrive to prepare their nesting territories. Then, in October, females arrive, laying 2 eggs in a shallow hole. Normally, only one egg is incubated by both parents for about 30-35 days. During the first 3-4 weeks after hatching, the male remains with the chick, whereas the female forages, providing its offspring and mate with food. Growing up, the hatchling joins a crèche of other chicks, while both parents forage to feed the young. Royal penguins attain their adult plumage within 65 days after hatching, after which they go out to sea. They first breed at 5 years old.
Royal penguins are exposed to disease outbreaks throughout the area of their range. However, climate change remains the main threat to these animals’ populations: changes in sea-surface temperature are able to sharply reduce the number of prey items, leading to food shortages.
Presently, there are about 850,000 breeding pairs, found on Macquarie Island. The population of these birds is stable though the species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...