Penguins are the most common birds living in the British Antarctic. They live in colonies some larger than some cities, and surviving in the harshest of conditions. All Penguins have a similar body form and structure, they can vary substantially in size and can be typically differentiated by distinctive colours and features to their heads and neck.
Penguins stand for hours on the ice, but they have clever ways of keeping their feet the right temperature just a few degrees above freezing. Blood flow to their feet is tightly controlled, with reduced flow in cold conditions. Heat exchangers at the top of their legs take heat from the blood flowing to the feet, and use it to heat up the blood flowing back into the body. The Macaroni Penguin has bright red eyes, and their beak is thick and orange, but on each side a fleshy pink area is visible. Known for its distinctive yellow crest the macaroni is a large penguin that moults once a year. With the crest an adult bird has an average height of around 70cm, the weight can vary drastically dependant on the time of year and the sex of the penguin.
The population is estimated at around 18 million which is a substantial decline in recent years recorded across numerous locations. Like most other penguins the Macaroni is a social animal in its nesting and behaviour.
The design on the coin itself features a male and female Macaroni penguin. The Pobjoy Mint exclusive Effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is shown on the obverse of the coin. The coin is available in Cupro Nickel Diamond Finish with the penguins portrayed in colour. A special colour album, which is sold separately, has been designed to house all five coins.
