Macaroni penguins Jan 20, 2024

Macaroni penguins

How many kinds of penguins can you name? Today"s snapshot features agile macaroni penguins swimming in the plankton-rich waters of the Drake Passage in Chile. These charming creatures are just one of 18 different species of penguin found in the Southern Hemisphere and can be recognised by their peculiar amber crests and prominent orange beak. Macaroni penguins gather in foraging groups, but males can be aggressive towards each other. To show passivity and avoid a fight, individuals often ease through colonies with their heads tucked down to their chests. Despite being beloved by us humans, penguins are threatened by reduced food availability, errant fishing nets and the profound impact of climate change on their habitat, sea ice.

© Paul Souders/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jan 20, 2026Gentoo penguin, Petermann Island, Antarctica

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 27, 2025Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States
Feb 20, 2025Red deer, Canada
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California, USA
Jan 24, 2025Strokkur geyser in Iceland
Mar 16, 2024Eurasian blue tit, United Kingdom
Jun 28, 2025Mannheim Water Tower, Germany
Jan 23, 2024Maldives
Jul 16, 2024Skara Brae, Scotland
Mar 18, 2025Red Rocks, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Jan 10, 2025Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Oct 31, 2023Pumpkins and squashes
Jul 30, 2025Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Apr 2, 2024Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
Dec 22, 2025Alte Brücke Bridge, Frankfurt, Germany
Sep 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Aug 28, 2025Great white egret, Hungary
Aug 2, 2024Saint-François, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Oct 2, 2023Verdon Gorge, France
Mar 8, 2025Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, Germany
Dec 25, 2024Lakes of Covadonga, Asturias, Spain
Aug 21, 2023Emerald Lake, Yukon, Canada
Apr 3, 2025Saguaro National Park, Arizona, United State
Nov 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Sep 25, 2024Giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park, California, USA
Feb 1, 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Germany
Nov 13, 2025Quiver trees, Namibia
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Oct 27, 2025Thick-billed raven
Jun 30, 2025Wolfe Creek Crater, Australia