Macaroni penguin female are similar in appearance; males tend to be slightly larger. Males also bear relatively larger bills, which average around compared to in females; this feature has been used to tell the sexes apart. Immature birds are distinguished by their smaller size, smaller, duller-brown bill, dark grey chin and throat, and absent or underdeveloped head plumes, often just a scattering of yellow feathers. The crest is fully developed in birds aged three to four years, a year or two before breeding age. Macaroni penguins moult once a year, a process in which they replace all of their old feathers. They
Macaroni pie (and optionally onion) is added, thus creating a "lihamakaronilaatikko" (literally, meat-macaroni casserole). The casserole may be topped before baking with breadcrumbs and grated cheese and/or knobs of butter, to form a crunchy crust. "Makaronilaatikko" is typically served with tomato ketchup and pickles such as gherkins. Pastitsio is a type of macaroni pie in Greek cuisine prepared using elbow macaroni noodles and various additional ingredients. In Italian cuisine the macaroni pie () is a traditional dish in several cities, with a long tradition originating from the "pastizzi" prepared by the chefs active in the Italian courts of the Renaissance: the most