Macaroni Penguin, Falkland Islands

Macaroni Penguin

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Macaroni Penguin
Saunders Island, Falkland Islands   –   January 13, 2014
— Ralph Paonessa
Canon EOS 7D   *   EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM   *   ISO 320   *   1/1600 sec @ f/5.6

The Macaroni Penguin is a rare visitor to the Falkland Islands. Superficially similar to the abundant Rockhoppers, with its orange bill, distinctive crests, and red eye, it sometimes occurs in the Falklands in Rockhopper colonies.

Finding one Macaroni among thousands of Rockhoppers can be a real challenge until you have some practice. (The pink cheek patch is also distinctive.) But it's even more of a challenge for the Macaroni Penguin, who usually cannot find a mate. This female still built a nest on Bleaker Island and laid a single egg at least two years in a row, but without a mate it never hatched.

Photo ID: 20140113-1952