Royal penguins: description, habitat, reproduction
The royal penguin obtains its real title of the distinctive orange yellow feathers that begin on the forehead and run along the sides and the upper part of the head. At first glance, the real penguin could be confused with the Macaroni penguin, a species that has similar yellow crest feathers in the head. Some scientists argue that the real penguin is a subspecies closely related to the Macaroni penguin.
Description: Habitat and eating habits
The royal penguins nest in large colonies on Macquarie Island and the Bishop and Clerk islands near Australia. They prefer rocky or pebble beaches during most of the year. They are members of the penguin family with crest, but unlike other penguins with crest that have black chin, the chin and face of the royal penguins are pale or white gray color that lead to their colorful feathers. Equipped with black crowns and short orange peaks, these penguins are also the highest of penguins with an approximately 28 -inch peak. Females are usually a little smaller than males. The royal penguins feed mainly from Krill, along with other small crustaceans, fish or cephalopods, and can be prey to fine wolves or marine elephants of the South.
Reproduction
The Royal Penguin Reproduction Season lasts from September to February and usually begins when males create small holes or nests from vegetation and nearby rocks. Once the females arrive in the colony, the royal penguins form monogamous reproductive couples and put two eggs. One of the eggs, typically the smallest of the two, is pushed outside the nest and the other is incubated by both parents. Approximately 40 days later, the chick is born and the father takes care of him while the mother looks for food. Eventually, chick will join other newborn penguins in small groups known as nurseries. Once the chick has reached 70 days of age, it can begin to feed and protect itself.
Species protection
Royal penguins were very exploited in the 19th century, but since then they have recovered. Today, populations are considered stable, but since potential threats such as plastic pollution and overfishing prevail in their habitat, real penguins appear as almost threatened by the IUCN red list. The long -term effects of climate change can also seriously affect the food supply of these penguins throughout their distribution area.
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