Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) on a rocky coastline, the Neck, Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South America

Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) returning to breeding colony in Cooper Bay, South Georgia, Polar Regions

Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) portrait, the Neck, Saunders Island, Falkland Islands, South America

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), head detail in Cooper Bay, South Georgia, South Atlantic, Polar Regions

Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome), New Island, Falkland Islands, South America

A Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), East Falkland, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, South America

Two Rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome), Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic, South America

Macaroni penguin (eudyptes chrysolophus) cooper bay, south georgia, close-up of head, portrait.

Macaroni penguins. Eudyptes chrysolophus. Hannah point, livingston island, antarctica

Rockhopper penguin (eudyptes chrysocome) new island, falkland islands, portrait.

Rockhopper penguin (eudyptes chrysocome) bleaker island, falkland islands, inquisitive penguin looking into lens

A Black Browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) sitting on a nest in a mixed nesting colony of albatross's and Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) on Westpoint island in the Falkland Islands off argentina, in South America. Albatrosses are globally thratened by long line fishing boats who are responsible for killing thousands of birds.

Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) washing in a stream on Westpoint island in the Falkland Islands off argentina, in South America. Numbers off rocxkhoppers have declined substantially, partly due to competition with commercial fishing and partly due to climate change, which causes their prey food to migrate to cooler waters.

A mixed Black Browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) and Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) nesting colony on Westpoint island in the Falkland Islands off Argentina, in South America, being watched by a group on a wildlife tourist trip.

A Black Browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) in a nesting colony of albatross's and Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) on Westpoint island in the Falkland Islands off argentina, in South America. Albatrosses are globally thratened by long line fishing boats who are responsible for killing thousands of birds.

Rockhopper penguin (eudyptes chrysocome) new island, falkland islands, portrait.

Rockhopper penguin (eudyptes chrysocome) bleaker island, falkland islands, view over colony.

Macaroni penguin (eudyptes chrysolophus) hercules bay, south georgia, close-up showing crest feathers.

Rockhopper penguin (eudyptes chrysocome) new island, falkland islands, pair amongst the rocks, at nesting site.

Rockhopper penguin (eudyptes chrysocome) bleaker island, falkland islands, close-up of head.

RockHopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) Isla de Los Estados (Staten Island), an Ecological and Historical Reserve has been off limits to tourism since 1923

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

A lone adult Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) among a chinstrap penguin colony at Point Wild on Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Adult macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) porpoising for speed while traveling to their breeding colony on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) "hopping" on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha Island Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands. This is the smallest yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin in the genus Eudyptes. It reaches a length of 45-58 cm (18-23 in) and typically weighs 2-3.4 kg (4.4-7.5 lb), although there are records of exceptionally large rockhoppers weighing 5 kg (11 lbs). Their common name refers to the fact that unlike many other penguins which negotiate obstacles by sliding on their bellies or by awkward climbing using their flipper-like wings as aid, Rockhoppers will try to jump over boulders and across cracks. This behavior is by no means unique to this species however - at least the other "crested" penguins of the genus Eudyptes hop around rocks too. Southern Rockhopper Penguins have a global population of roughly 1 million pairs, perhaps a bit more. About two-thirds of the global population belongs to E. c. chrysocome which breeds on the Falkland Islands and on islands off Argentina and southern Chile. The Southern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as Vulnerable species by the IUCN.

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) (head detail) at Devil's Nose on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean.

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Young rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) molting on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha Island Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) going through a catastrophic molt on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha Island Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Northern Rockhopper Penguins, Eudyptes moseleyi, endangered, endemic to the Tristan Da Cunha island group, taken from a Zodiac at Gough Island (landing is not allowed on Gough Island itself), South Atlantic Ocean.

Snares crested penguins (Eudyptes robustus), Penguin with Kelp (Durvilla antarctica) Snares Island, New Zealand, Pacific Ocean.

Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) Nesting amoungst tussock and snow, South Georgia Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean.

Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) Nesting amoungst tussock, South Georgia Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean.

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) at Devil's Nose on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean.

Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) Nesting amoungst tussock and snow, South Georgia Island, Antarctica, Southern Ocean.

Adult rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) "hopping" on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha Island Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) pair at Devil's Nose on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean.

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Snares creasted penguins (Eudyptes robustus) on kelp (Durvilla antarctica), Snares Island, New Zealand, Southern Ocean.

Fighting young Royal Penguins (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia.

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) porpoising for speed while traveling to their breeding colony on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

NOTE: High path to top of island used by Snares crested penguins (Eudyptes atratus), Snares Islands, New Zealand, Pacific Ocean.

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean, Antarctica

Fighting adult Royal Penguins (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia.

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on Elephant Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica

Adult rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) at breeding and molting colony on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) plunging into the sea leaving their breeding colony at Elsehul on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Macaroni penguin pair (Eudyptes chrysolophus) nesting among chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) on Elephant Island in the South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica.

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Royal Penguins (Eudyptes schlegli) on land. Maquarie Island, Australian sub-antarctic, Southern Ocean.

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) with chick below tussock grass. Cooper Bay, South Georgia, Subantarctic

Adult macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) plunging into the sea leaving their breeding colony at Elsehul on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Snares crested penguins (Eudyptes atratus), swimming off Snares Islands, Snares Islands, New Zealand, Pacific Ocean.

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha Island Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Fighting young Royal Penguins (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia.

Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia Island in the Southern Ocean

Adult macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in Elsehul Bay on South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Moulting Royal Penguins (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia.

Adult rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi) on Nightingale Island in the Tristan da Cunha Island Group, South Atlantic Ocean

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Adult Southern Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome) in the Falkland Islands

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) pair at Devil's Nose on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean.

Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) at Devil's Nose on New Island in the Falkland Islands, South Atlantic Ocean.

Adult Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in tussock grass on South Georgia Island, southern Atlantic Ocean.

Moulting and still fighting Royal Penguins (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia.

Adult Royal Penguin (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia

Adult Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in tussock grass on South Georgia Island, southern Atlantic Ocean.

Macaroni penguin pair (Eudyptes chrysolophus) nesting among chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) on Elephant Island in the South Shetland Island Group, Antarctica.

Young Royal Penguin (Eudyptes Schlegeli). Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Australia.