endangered species

thema mac

theMacaroni penguin

The Macaroni PenguinBy: JOSIE DAVIDSON and ELLEN FINN

Physical Characteristics of the macaroni penguin

• Both genders are about 27.9 inches (71 centimeters) in height. Males weigh 8.2 to 14.1 pounds (3,720 to 6,410 grams) and females weigh 7.0 to 12.6 pounds (3,180 to 5,700 grams).

• Macaroni penguins have long yellow and orange feathers growing from the middle of their foreheads that look like eyebrows.

• The head and cheeks are black or dark gray, and the back is black.

• The breast, belly, and rump patch are white.

• Their eyes are dark red.

• Read more: Penguins: Sphenisciformes - Macaroni Penguin (eudyptes Chrysolophus): Species Accounts http://animals.jrank.org/pages/411/Penguins-Sphenisciformes-MACARONI-PENGUIN-Eudyptes-chrysolophus-SPECIES-ACCOUNTS.html#ixzz0oUMXDP1y

• The Macaroni Penguin’s scientific name is Eudyptes Chrysolophus. They are from the kingdom Animalia, phylum chordata, class aves, order

sphenisciforms, and the family spheniscidae.

The macaroni penguin Behavior aND

REPRODUCTION• Macaroni penguins breed in large colonies of up to more than one hundred thousand birds.

• They're noisy during breeding season, and it is by their individual calls that mates are able to recognize one another.

• The female lays two eggs in her shallow nest, which is made by scraping in mud or gravel.

• The second egg, which is larger than the first, is usually the only one to survive.

• Parents take turns warming and protecting the egg. Within four to five weeks, the chick is born, and it survives on regurgitated food for the first month. In about ten weeks, they head out on their own.

• At sea, adult penguins must be on the lookout for Leopard seals, killer whales, and sea lions. On shore, eggs and chicks are eaten by petrels, skuas, and gulls.

Read more: Penguins: Sphenisciformes - Macaroni Penguin (eudyptes Chrysolophus): Species Accounts http://animals.jrank.org/pages/411/Penguins-Sphenisciformes-MACARONI-PENGUIN-Eudyptes-chrysolophus-SPECIES-ACCOUNTS.html#ixzz0oUMwDv7y

Read more: Penguins: Sphenisciformes - Macaroni Penguin (eudyptes Chrysolophus): Species Accounts http://animals.jrank.org/pages/411/Penguins-Sphenisciformes-MACARONI-PENGUIN-Eudyptes-chrysolophus-SPECIES-ACCOUNTS.html#ixzz0oUMXDP1y

The penguin plays the role as the consumer.

The diet consists of a variety of crustaceans, mainly krill, as well as small fish and cephalopods; the species consumes more marine life annually than

any other species of seabird.

• The penguin plays the role as the consumer.

The diet consists of a variety of crustaceans, mainly krill, as well as small fish and cephalopods; the species consumes more marine life annually than any other species of seabird.

If the penguin went extent the whole ecosystem would get off balance.

THe role they play in the ecosystem

THe penguins habitat

• Macaroni penguins live in the Sub-Antarctic. www.d81.w-cook.k12.il.us/kennedy/asmith/penguins/macaroni.htm

• Macaroni penguins live in rocky, water-bound areas, on rocks and cliffs above the ocean. www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/birds/penguins/macaroni_penguin.html

• Breeding colonies are situated on rocky slopes or level ground, usually in areas lacking vegetation, although some nests are located amongst tussock grass (4). Little is known of this species outside of the breeding season, but it is believed that it is pelagic, spending all of its time at sea.

/www.arkive.org/macaroni-penguin/eudyptes-chrysolophus/info.html

HOw scientists are trying to help.

• Penguin movements are poorly understood, as they can travel thousands of miles

• Although scientists have tagged penguins to study their movements, the tags have been linked to sores on the penguins flippers, and have increased their chance of dying.

• New tags have been developed by British scientists that track the winter movements of macaroni penguins in South Georiga, this year ( 2010 ). Scientists say that penguins spend the winter entirely at sea and are capable of travelling thousands of miles from their colonies.

How we can help

• Recycle and don’t polute!

• Global warming is a big factor in diminishing the food supply for the macaroni penguin.