The Royal Penguin, Eudyptes schlegeli, is a striking crested penguin species instantly recognizable by the bright orange-yellow plumes extending from its forehead. These birds possess a unique, white face and chin, differentiating them from the closely related Macaroni Penguin, which has a dark face. The species is characterized by an unusually restricted geographic distribution, with its entire global population tied to a single, remote location in the Southern Ocean.
The Exclusive Breeding Ground
The definitive answer to where Royal Penguins live is almost exclusively on the sub-Antarctic landmass of Macquarie Island, an Australian territory situated approximately 1,500 kilometers southeast of Tasmania. This island and its adjacent Bishop and Clerk Islets host the entire breeding population. The breeding season runs from early October until the chicks fledge in February. Colonies can be massive, with the largest concentration at Hurd Point holding an estimated 500,000 breeding pairs. While individual vagrants have been sighted near New Zealand, the reproductive success of the Royal Penguin is wholly dependent on this single island location.
Habitat and Environmental Context
Macquarie Island provides a rugged, sub-Antarctic climate characterized by cold, windy, and wet conditions that suit this hardy species. The terrain used for nesting is varied, ranging from sandy beaches and rocky shorelines to bare, open areas on vegetated slopes. Some colonies are established up to 200 meters in elevation on steep, rocky scree slopes or amidst dense tussock grass, though nests are typically simple scrapes in the ground. The island’s environment is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a designation granted in 1997 due to its unique geological features and significant biodiversity. The island’s remote location and protected status offer a measure of defense for the breeding population against human disturbance and development.
Life at Sea: Migration and Foraging
When not on land for breeding or molting, Royal Penguins adopt a pelagic existence, dispersing into the vast Southern Ocean. During the six-month non-breeding period (April to September), their exact movements remain largely unknown, but they undertake extensive migrations to build up fat reserves. During the breeding season, foraging trips extend into the nutrient-rich waters of the Polar Frontal Zone (PFZ), which lies southeast of the island. Adults will travel hundreds of kilometers from the colony to find food for themselves and their chicks. The diet is primarily carnivorous, consisting mainly of euphausiid crustaceans (krill), along with small fish and squid.