Primary predators of macaroni penguins in the water are killer whales ( Orca orcinus) and leopard seals ( Hydrurga leptonyx). Macaroni penguins fast for up to forty days during the breeding season. Recently it was discovered that some populations travel long distances to feed on populations of subantarctic krill and the crustacean, Parathemisto gauchidaudii, in the Indian ocean. They also eat some fish and amphipod crustaceans ( Amphipoda). Macaroni penguins live almost entirely on krill ( Euphasiidae) supplemented with up to five percent squid. This can result in a mass trumpeting by other males, which is believed to help synchronize the breeding cycle. Courtship and mating rituals include so called "ecstatic displays" where a bird, typically an unattached male, pumps his chest several times with his head stretched upwards and with flippers stretched outwards, projects a harsh loud braying sound. The penguin communicates by complex ritual behaviors such as head and flipper waving, calling, bowing, gesturing and preening. On land their main predator is the skua (a large bird) which snatches penguin's chicks from nests. This excellent vision is needed to avoid predation by leopard seals and killer whales, which are their primary predators in the ocean. Their eyes, like the many sea animals, are attuned to the colors of the sea. ( Levick, 1914 Stonehouse, 1975)Īlthough very near-sighted on land, penguins have exceptional vision in the water. As they swim, macaroni penguins use their webbed feet to steer, with the help of their tails, which serve as a rudder. The weight of their bones also allows them to remain under water for long periods of time, they typically surface after two or three minutes to breathe. Unlike birds of flight, whose bones are hollow to allow for flying, penguins have solid bones to enable deeper dives. Macaroni colonies are found on rocky cliffs and hillsides. Macaroni penguins live in large colonies of up to 2.5 million birds, mostly in breeding pairs.
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