Home US English macaroni penguin

Definition of macaroni penguin in English:

macaroni penguin

Pronunciation /ˌmakəˈrōnē ˈpeNGɡwən/ /ˌmækəˈroʊni ˈpɛŋɡwən/

noun

  • A penguin with an orange crest, breeding on islands in the Antarctic.

    Eudyptes chrysolophus, family Spheniscidae

    ‘This is true for minke whale, Antarctic fur seal, Adelie, chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins, black-browed albatross, and white-chinned and cape petrels.’
    • ‘Only macaroni penguins (including a subspecies, royal penguins) appear to be in reasonable health.’
    • ‘Commercial fishing also impacts macaroni penguins in Antarctica.’

Origin

Early 19th century so named because the orange crest was thought to resemble the hairstyle of dandies known as macaronies (see macaroni).