Royal Penguin
Eudyptes schlegeli
The largest crested penguin, with a diagnostic whitish face. Only breeds on the Australian-administered Macquarie Island; occasionally seen off of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, rarely off of the mainland. Note bright yellow, orange, and black plumes. Easily distinguished from Macaroni Penguin by whitish face, and from Chinstrap Penguin by crests.
Identification
There was some controversy over whether royal penguins are a subspecies of macaroni penguins. Individuals of the two groups have been known to interbreed, though this is a relatively rare occurrence. Indeed, other penguins have been known to form mixed-species pairs in the wild.<p>They inhabit the waters surrounding Antarctica. Royals look very much like macaroni penguins, but have a white face and chin instead of the macaronis' black visage. They are 65–76 cm (26–30 in) long and weigh 5–6 kg (11–13 lb). Males are larger than females. Royal penguins breed only on Macquarie Island and adjacent islands. Like other penguins, they spend much of their time at sea, where they are assumed to be pelagic.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Eudyptes schlegeli
- Authority
- Finsch, 1876
- Order
- Sphenisciformes
- Family
- Spheniscidae
- Genus
- Eudyptes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Caribbean Martin
Progne dominicensis
A graceful aerial feeder found over a wide variety of open habitats, especially near water, including marshes and towns. Often seen on exposed perches including power and telephone lines in villages. Commonly found in flocks of up to twenty birds, sometimes mixing with other swallows and martins. Note the male’s diagnostic glossy purple-blue plumage and snow-white belly. Females and immatures are similarly patterned, but have brown mixed with the blue and are probably not safely separable from Cuban Martin. Female and immature Purple Martins are very similar, but they often have a scaly breast and finely streaked belly, with less contrast between belly and chest. Notably, Cuban and Purple Martins are not present in this species’ range from March to September. Calls include a harsh “churr,” a buzzy “zwick-zwick,” and a musical buzzy burbling.
Southern Martin
Progne elegans
Large swallow with pointed wings and slightly forked tail. Males are deep iridescent purple; females are also entirely dark, but are brownish below, with faint scaling. Migrates within South America; at some times of year, occurs with other very similar martin species, making identification difficult. Females lack the light belly of similar Purple and Gray-breasted Martins; males essentially indistinguishable from Purple Martin.
Marico Sunbird
Cinnyris mariquensis
Male is iridescent green above with a dark belly and maroon and bluish bands across the breast. Female is nondescript, with blurry streaks across the pale yellow underparts. Found in woodland, scrub, and savanna, including semi-desert thornscrub. Most distinctive vocalization is an energetic series of “tyip” notes. Also gives a high-pitched, jumbled song. Very similar to several other sunbird species but distinguished by slightly larger size and longer bill with a thicker base.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.