Macaronis inhabit the maritime Antarctic and subantarctic regions with large breeding populations found on South Georgia Island (5.4 million pairs) and other islands of the Scotia Arc, on Heard Island, Marion Island, Isles Crozet (2.2 million pairs) and Kerguelen (1.8 million pairs), and the Falkland Islands.
Though similar to their crested cousins, Macaronis penguins are larger and can be distinguished by their yellow-orange tassels which originate in a broad band across the forehead meeting right between their eyes. Most easily confused with Royal Penguins, Macaronis have mostly black faces whereas Royals generally have white faces.
The Macaronis penguin was named by early English explorers for its yellow crest feathers which resembled those worn in the hats of young 18th century men called 'macaronis'; a label later immortalized in the words of the Revolutionary War song 'Yankee Doodle.'
